Happy Valentines Day!

Well I gave my people thier gifts, but got nothing. Big shocker there!
Good thing I got some yummy treats in my swap.
Here is my valentines day baby and his new haircut:
Before:


After:

$60 of groceries and a menu from it!

So I will be using pantry items and purchased groceries to provide this weeks menu.
My grocery receipt looks something like this:

Reeses PB hearts .49 X 2 (for the guys for valentines)
Organic brown eggs 1 DZ 2.49
Bagged boneless skinless chicken breasts 3.5lbs 3.99
canned corn .48 X 2
Cheese crackers 1.99 with $1.00 off coupon
brown sugar 1.00 with .46 off coupon
pudding cups .79
16 oz pasta 1.99
store brand spaghetti rings 1 can .58
4 boxes store brand mac and cheese .29
Large can of coffee 6.59
minced dried onions .88
sour cream .79
refried beans .69
egg noodles 1.47
canned pears halves 1.28
coffee creamer 1.57 X 2
freezer bags 1.14 with $1.00 off coupon
blueberries 1.99 one pint
organic bananas 5 1.48
2lbs green grapes 2.08
3 lbs ground beef 4.77
sale roast 2.62
sale steaks 4.64
tortillas .96
package of bacon 1.79
celery .79
fozen peas .89
bag of potatoes 1.99
bagged baby carrots .89

Sunday:
We are eating out at lunch so we will be having a light supper

Chicken and corn chowder
homemade bread

Chowder:
2 pieces of bacon
1 cup sliced onions
3 stalks celery diced
1/2 cup canned roasted red peppers (mine are home canned)
2 cups chicken broth (I make mine from boullion)
2 cooked diced boneless skinless chicken breast(I will poach mine)
1 can evaporated milk
1 can drained diced tomatoes (also home canned) about 1 cup
1 can of corn
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp dried thyme
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon hickory flavored BBQ sauce

Chop up bacon and cook until brown and crispy. Remove bacon and saute onion, celery and garlic in drippings until softened. Add the flour, salt and pepper and thyme.
Mix well, and stir in the broth and canned milk. Bring to a boil and stir until soup begins to thicken. Reduce heat and cok on low for 15 more minutes. Serve with bread.


Monday:
Sloppy joes(on homemade buns)
oven fries
steamed baby carrots

Sloppy joes:
1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 Teaspoon ground mustard
1 Teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup ketchup
salt and pepper to taste
1lb ground beef cooked and drained

Cook meat while assembling ingredients. Add all to cooked drained meat and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Baked fries:
3 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch strips
cooking spray
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a medium baking sheet.
Arrange potato strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, skin sides down. Spray lightly with cooking spray, and sprinkle with basil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Tuesday:
Chicken Noodle Bake
6 ounces thin egg noodles, cooked, drained
6 tablespoons butter
1 can sliced mushrooms
6 tablespoons flour
1 2/3 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cooked diced chicken breasts
1 cup frozen peas, thawed under hot water
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese , plus more for topping
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish.
In large skillet or saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Blend in flour, stirring until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add chicken broth, mushrooms, milk, carrots, and salt and pepper; stir constantly until sauce is thickened. Stir in chicken, peas, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and the cooked noodles. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over top. Bake chicken noodle casserole 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

Wednesday:
Steak
Baked Potatoes
sauteed beet greens(from our garden)


Thursday:
Pasta
sauteed veggies (shredded carrots, diced celery, frozen peas)
garden veggie spag sauce (homemade)

Saute veggies in butter for about 5 minutes or until softened, add to cooked sauce, and sever over hot pasta.

Friday:
Crockpot roast
with carrots and potatoes

1 roast (beef or pork)
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix or onion mushroom mix
1 c. water
Favorite spices and herbs
3 potatoes, quartered
3 carrots, cut up

Load up the crock pot with all ingredients. Mix water with dry soup mix and pour over everything. Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 10-12 hours.

Saturday:
Beef quesadillas
refried beans

Use leftover beef roast to make quesadillas. Serve with canned refried beans, sour cream and salsa.

Daycare Lunches

Monday: Spaghetti rings, canned pears, cheese crackers
Tuesday: PBJ, green grapes
Wednesday: Mac and cheese, bluberries
Thursday: Homemade pizza, green grapes
Friday: Fish sticks, mac and cheese, frozen peas.

Ho Hum the holiday comes

Well as you all know Sat is Valentines Day. I don't expect flowers or candy or even a card...I am paying to take us out to lunch on Sunday. Because I want to eat out and have some fun, not because I am feeling romantic or anything. I plan on us going to the mall after wards so I can buy some underwear..again not because I am feeling romantic, its because I need to part with some of my old ripped falling apart panties.
A few of my daycare kids are sick today, but I have two here to replace the lost revenue, seems like the universe is taking care of me in that dept. Gene for some reason thinks I am a bad babysitter, cause I let the kids watch movies and walk around with thier cups, I don't care what he thinks really..he seems to think he knows it all. But really he can't even handle being with Zach without losing his patience. I am a great daycare provider! I play with the kids, I keep a routine with them, and I keep them busy, minus a bit of TV here and there.
I know I have been really down on Gene lately but having him here all the time has put a huge strain on things.

Daycare or bust

I attended a long meeting..informational class yesterday. It reviewed all of the things I have already read and filled my brain up with. It seems as though most people are idiots, which I suppose is true. It was all having to do with opening my daycare or for me, just being legitimate. I am no preparing to start paying into taxes again. Its been four long years since I actually claimed anything, and it actually feels good. I would continue being an under the table provider, except one of my patrons is pretty much forced me into it. If I did not need the money so badly I would probably not register. It is impossible for me to turn someone away right now, and since I feel these children need me I must...
The tension fills the air, and I can breathe now that Gene has left for the day. His anger and impatience leave me in a funk. I hate this feeling. He left with an air of smugness, just because he did some laundry. He suggested that I do the same, and I ignored him as he blew me a kiss goodbye. As if he is the authority on housework! UGHHHHH

It just is

I rolled out of bed this morning, my eyelids swollen. Another "I want to leave you" argument last night. Him trying to convince me that, it would really suck, we would lose the house. No garden, no chickens, no fruit trees. I want those things..I also want intimacy, love and affection. I want someone who understands me, someone who acts like they give a shit, or at least pretends to. All he says is that he sucks and wants to make things better..how many times have I heard this one??? Why oh why do I listen. I am tired of being angry and bitchy, and needy.
He complains, that I made no plans for Valentines Day..did he even ask? Or make plans? NO!
I am hosting a babysitting night on Valentines Day to make money..if I fill up it will be something like $160 for four hours of daycare..that would be fantastic, its almost enought to cover preschool next month.(It's $185 for a whole month).
I am going to drown out the voices today with some valentines candy I got in a swap.
I know its just a made up commercial day, but doesn't it feel good to have some who cares show it??

Here are some pics of Zach tearing up some cooked trout that Gene caught this week. He has so much free time, so he has been fishing a lot.



It's hard to believe he is in short sleeves! The weather here has been in the high
60's and Zach has jumped at the chance to get into his shorts and short sleeved T's.

Manic Monday

It's just another manic Monday...I wish it were still Saturday. We stayed the night over at a friends house out in the country on Sat. The weather was in the high 60's and gorgeous. We sat around a fire, Freeda enjoyed her freedom. Zach played nicely with other children, and we had some fruity drinks. I can not think of any other way to spend a more enjoyable evening. We ate mexican take out, no cooking!
Today just sucks compared to Sat. Freeda has peed on the floor, two daycare kids have peed on the floor, and Zach has been mouthy and whiny. I had to wash his mouth out with soap, for being so fresh!!
The upside: Gene cleaned both of the bathrooms and started a load of laundry...after I mentioned it needed to be done.. Bless him, the king of all assholes. HAHA
There is fresh bread cooling on the counter and its almost naptime for my daycare kiddo. I only have a half day of kids tomorrow, I won't know what to do with myself.
I fixed the printer..yay! So I saved us a bundle on that.. sinora..

I Know!

I know..I have not been blogging this week..at all. I have been distracted by the pooch, and the kids and the terribly nice weather. We are going to spend the night with some friends tonight and I hope to get some pics, and bloggin in tomorrow.
We went to buck night at the indoor pool last night, it was wonderful and it only cost $1, I love this town.
I gave $75 of my hard earned money to the big box store today, the guilt factor is killing me. However I have been the incredible shrinking woman lately and so I need some new clothes! I am down by about two sizes, and I have not even been trying. Which is wonderful.