Wednesday, October 5, 2011

SayMMM

I was playing around with my Say MMM account, actually I was looking for ideas for dinner, using what I had on hand, and learning how to use the menu/shopping list options.  They have a new feature over there, you can add up to 100 recipes for the free version, free is good, (paid version is unlimited recipes, add cost of ing, and track nutrients/calories $3 month) anyway, you can now add a link to a recipe online, and it will add the ingredients for you, and make up not only a shopping list but a "check to see" list as well.  The "Check to see list is for things in the pantry you usually already have on hand.  Your shopping list can be done in categories and/or stores.  This makes is easy for me to pull it up, check off what I have, pull out my iPhone, pull up my Grocery Gadget (I have the $5 paid app) click items in, and go, or have my husband pull it up on his phone while he is in town.  I can even enter a barcode on most items and it will pull up the price, and add tax for me-cool huh?

What did I decide on for dinner, a recipe from Hillbillyhousewife.com-just entered the link, and there it was, in my list!
Beef Stroganoff-MMMMM
Print Recipe | Printable grocery list

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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Menu Planning

Well, I dug out my menu planning gear and made my own planner, and I even used Excel, which I'm just don't know enough about to really be doing anything with it. I'll share it here, if I can figure out how to, and if you know how to link or upload a pdf file and don't see it here PLEASE comment and tell me how. I have not used my menu planner in quite a while now, my husband picks things up as we go, and the budget has been too tight to do anything except have him pick things up on his way home. I know there are many great planners out there, and I have printed a few off and actually used them, but with the rising cost of ink, and paper, I've found something that works for me and decided to share it. I do use SayMMM online for ideas and lsits, but what I did a few years ago is just make my own calendar with Publisher on my computer, and made up 5 or 6 weeks of meals we like, you may need another form. I also left Friday nights open (we have pizza) and one other day a week open for New Recipe night. I then made a staples list, of all the things I need on hand for daily life, and our recipes on that menu. I also added a few lines for items from New Recipe night or things we don't use a lot of. I don't have my list on the computer anymore, but since it's update time, I may do that and share. SayMMM will make lists for you from your menu lists and then you can click on things you have on hand to remove them from the list, and then print or add it to your written list. I keep my master list in sheet protectors on our kitchen bulletin board, then I check things I need as I need them with a dry erase marker. I also just updated my Grocery Gadget App on my iPhone and will transfer my staples to it, then I have a list on my phone, and can even make a separate list for my husband, or by stores. This way I have a "written" list in case my technology crashes, and also don't have to take a list to the store, it's already in my phone. There is a free one I read about on a blog Modern Vintage Homemaking but since I had purchased the Grocery Gadget a year or two ago, I'll keep it, don't' want to pay Stupid Tax.I am not knocking those services who do the planning for you, and even tell you what is on sale, but I cannot even afford the inexpensive $5 a month ones, and honestly since I can do this on my own, I'm not willing to pay for it, I need to save every penny I can now a days!!!

Just pencil in your meals (I did not put Months on my Menu calendar, it just rotates) and then if you like do your own on computer, I can email you this form in excel if you will be kind enough to leave your email in the comments. I put lines at the bottom of the page for notes, and at the right of the page to use for notes, and comments, like family did not like New Recipe Night... Okay, got to sign off and grade Algebra papers, Have a Blessed Day!!! Valerie

Print Recipe | Printable grocery list
What's for dinner tonight? Creamy Chicken, take a look!

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Simple Woman's Daybook


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Click on picture for link.
FOR TODAY
October 4, 2011...

Outside my window...
Crisp cool fall air, finally.
I am thinking...
I hope it rains soon.
I am thankful for...
The rain we have gotten.
From the learning rooms...
Constitution class from Hillsdale College
From the kitchen...
Coffee.
I am wearing...
Sweatshirt & Jeans.
I am creating...
Kitchen Dress Towels.
I am going...
To let my chickens out as soon as I'm done here.
I am reading...
Wuthering Heights.
I am hoping...
For a long Fall.
I am hearing...
Sparky & Roo-Roo crowing.
Around the house...
Morning sounds of family.
One of my favorite things...
Crisp October Mornings.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Catch up on lesson plans and sewing projects.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

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Monday, October 3, 2011

Manic Monday

Okay everyone all together now, "It's Just Another Manic Monday". I love that song, it's a good mopping the floor song, kinda like "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves....

Things have been so hectic here lately, which I'll try to share over at Rocks in My Garden (which should actually be the 1-Acre Farm) and I actually allowed people to tell me how to run MY blog. I know I asked for advice, I even went looking for advice, but it stopped being fun, and my motto is "If it ain't fun, it won't get done", which is why I like to tune into YouTube for old songs I like while cleaning. Come on, admit it, it takes longer to procrastinate about doing the job at hand than it actually takes to do it!!! So what's a gal to do,

well I'll tell you, do it like Frank did, HIS way, but YOUR way. I have just a few random things I want to share, and that's what I'm gonna do, share them, and share them MY way.

1st Check out the tip of the month over at the top right (underneath that massively huge picture I could not resist using, and just did not feel like figuring out how to shrink any more than it already is).

2nd Menu planning, it's gone by the wayside lately, hubby does ALL the shopping, which was great for a while, but I'd love to know what's for dinner ahead of time.  I hope to have some great resources up and share a few tips I've learned along the way very soon.

To wet your appetite, here is a resource I love.

Menus On A Dime E-book Series Saves You Money While Preparing Delicious Meals!


It's almost Holiday season, are you ready? I know I shared this yesterday, but it's absolutely worth sharing again, I LOVE btw!!!

The Holiday Combo Set


The 12-Week Holiday Planner
Just the Planner.

Well, I'm off to make some home made noodles using Molly's recipe from over at Econobusters.com, and chicken soup from Suzanne over @ Hillbillyhousewife.com, sorry I don't have the for the one on Hillbillyhousewife.com, I'll never get dinner started, cuz I'll end up chasing rabbits for a few hours, there is SO much good stuff over there.

Have a GREAT day!!!

Valerie!

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Sunday, October 2, 2011

AWOL

So I've been AWOL for a long time, over a year in fact.  I don't even know if anyone is wondering where I have been, or will know I posted.  I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, however with 18 chickens laying eggs all over my yard, every day is an egg hunt, I've GOT to finish that chicken yard....  I'll be back in a day or two, if anyone is still checking in, PLEASE leave me a note and let me know!!!

Until then, here are a couple of things I'll be doing in addition to the chicken yard (and new goat pens)....

The Holiday Combo Set

&

Pretty for Pennies saves you money!
Valerie

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Welcome to my blog, or actually the world as I see it I should say. You will find a wide variety of things here, ramblings, family secrets, my fitness journey (see, WLW post), craft and gift giving ideas (down at the bottom) and just what ever else tends to take my fancy. Grab some tea, or coffee or what ever else you want/need, and kick your feet up and enjoy.

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