We Live!

Alright, somebody has to update this blog.

We haven't been very exciting lately so I've come up with lots of filler material. Sounds fun, right?

What have I been listening to?

The Helio Sequence!

Winner of the Most Entertaining Drummer To Watch Award... Seriously he's mesmerizing. You can't look away while he drums.



What have I been reading?

I recently finished Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds - a hard science space opera.



Don't judge me.

I've been trying to think of fun baby room themes that aren't too girly or too boyish (depending on what we find out next week). And I thought a Wizard of Oz theme would be kinda different and fun, and I found these great pieces of art if we went in that direction:




I love Dorothy's ruby red chucks.

Well there you go, that should meet our blog updating quota for a while. I hope you all enjoy your long weekend and...



... uh, woah, that was weird...

Anyways like I was saying. Enjoy your labor day!

I wish

I wish i could bake like this lady. My future children would be happy about it! Her blog is Bakerella

My Meal Chart this week

I share this with the hope that I can help others if they are looking for inspiration. These are AZ deals. I'm trying to get better at cooking, not only for the financial benefits, but for the health benefits. Let's face it, Taco Bell just doesn't cut it. So here's what I'm doing this upcoming week...


My Shopping List (most deals run Wednesday to Wednesday so I like to shop Monday or Tuesday's). Most of this info should be right, but you can check out Pinchingyourpennies.com for more accurate info. I'm still getting used to this coupons/saving money lingo. I'm going to start using coupons, but since I'm new to this, I don't have many collected. I hope you enjoy! Darby


Shopping List - for August 11

Needs:
small heavy cream (1) - bashas
Soy sauce
bouillon cubes
1 whole chicken (I'm learning how to dissect the chickens and get more bang for my buck)
Bell Peppers- Green .44 ea Sprouts
1 can green chilies
Milk- Gallon 40% off (Shamrock Farms, first 3) Bashas
2 for $5 sausage - owens brand safeway
round steak - 3.99lb - safeway
Corn- Cob .25 ea Bashas


Optional Items:
Cherries- Red Sweet 1.69lb Sprouts
Nectarines- Yellow .88lb Safeway
peaches-white .77 sprouts
Plums- Red .77lb Sprouts
10/$10 Crest toothpaste VIP card frys -Food Storage
1.39lb tbone steak ranchers reserve - safeway
10 cans at .89cent tuna - safeway - food storage
20/$10 frys mac and cheese - frys - food storage
mangos 2/1 safeway
2 for 1 arrowhead water - safeway - food storage
.77lb plumbs - sprouts


My Dinner Plans:
August 15
Aleen's Flauta's (I had some left over pot roast I'll use in these for the meat)
peach cobbler


August 16
Chicken Stir-Fry


August 17
French Toast and Whip cream
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cooking-for-real/french-toast-with-caramelized-pecans-strawberries-and-cream-recipe/index.html1
http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2007/04/02/simplest-brioche-la-plus-simple-des-brioches/

August 18
Crepes with fresh mango (a sunday tradition)

August 19
Teriyaki Chicken on rice
with corn on cob


August 20
Homemade mac and cheese (another family recipie, but easy to make)

August 21
Crock pot Round Steak
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1612,157182-245200,00.html

A winner

I tried out this recipe last night. I just cut up one very large chicken breast (Jonathan and I are not big eaters). It was really really good.




Arroz Con Pollo

Ingredients 4 chicken breast halves, skin removed 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 small red pepper, chopped (or chopped roasted red pepper) 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary 1 can (14 1/2 oz) crushed tomatoes 1 package (10 oz) frozen peas

Directions

Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika. In skillet, heat oil and brown chicken. Put chicken in Crock Pot. In a small bowl combine remaining ingredients, except peas. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours or on high 3 to 4 hours. One hour before serving add peas. Serve over rice.

i'm in love...

with my crockpot. i'm trying out crockpot cooking this week to find some good recipies. so far so good and i love getting it ready in the morning and then forgetting about it.

Something new

Lately I've been enjoying cooking shows. I haven't been able to apply too much, but i did today. While out shopping today I got a great deal on a whole chicken. I was planning on using lot's of chicken in my meals this week and so I needed some chicken. Well I decided to put my tv watching to use. I brought it home and cut it right up. I remembered how to cut at the joints and all that jazz. I think I'll watch another show on how to cut them up again, just to make sure I didn't miss anything before I get another one. I was really happy with it though. I was able to get lot's of meat for just a few bucks! It was kind of gross though, as this photo I pulled off the internet shows.