TUESDAYS SHOPPING TRIP

We all know I love food, buying it, preparing it, and most of all.....that's kinda obvious.

It's been 3 or 4 months since I have couponed and shopped in earnest, an increased workload last fall, and just catching up since Christmas, have left the pantry pretty bare.

The savings are pretty small this week but there nonetheless as I restock my coupons.




$4.00 at Publix

Not pictured is the 3 boxes of Honeycomb & 2 boxes of Cocoa Pebbles Chocolate that I got at Dollar General for $7.00.



$1.81 at Walmart

Shoppin In Paradise!

Heather

FREEZER COOKING DAYS I

I belong to a Freezer Cooking Group here in Jacksonville that I just love! We've been together a year now and below are pictures of what I brought home from our swap! There are normally 6 of us, we were 2 short this last month.


Chicken Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff
Maple Glazed Stuffed Pork Loin
Beef Carnitas
Lasagna
Beef Stew
Bacon & Cheese Topped Chx Br
Cashew Chicken

Next month's selections are:

Sticky Chicky (the groups #1fav)
Chicken Pot Pie
Sweet & Sour Kielbasa(me)
Cheese Stuffed Shells
Turkey Burger Wraps
Chicken Stir Fry
Brown Sugar Glazd Pork Chops(me)
Tortellini Soup
Beef Barley Soup
Yankee Pot Roast

I am holding off on my 2 until I get a better deal on the meat, I refuse to pay more than 1.99 lb for most cuts of meat, and rarely do. In the meantime I have a few things I want to whip up this weekend!!

**10 LBS HAMBURGER**
From BJ's--90/10--2.99/lb. Broke my own rule, but hey, I need to dance on the edge once in a while!!

MMMMMMMEATBALLS
Much more flavorful than any other recipe I've found.

5 lbs hambuger
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup A-1 or Wostershire Sauce
1 tsp Basil
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp onion powder

Mix all, form into one inch balls-put on foil lined cookie sheets and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Cool and freeze.

PIZZA MEATLOAF
For a sweet family in my church who seem to like it alot.

2 pounds ground beef

2 eggs, beaten
1 cup dry bread crumbs
.5 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon Italian-style seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
Sauce
1 Can tomato soup
1/4 cup water
1 tsp oregano or italian seasoning
Topping
1 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Mix all loaf ingredients together, then in separate bowl mix the sauce.  Add 2 tbsp of the sauce to the loaf ingred and put in 2 regular foil meatloaf pans or can shape and do one large one in a 9x13 or pan of your choice.I find the 2 foil mealtoaf pans cook out better. Wrap in saran wrap and foil. Put sauce and mozzerella in separate baggies and freeze all together.    Cook in 350 oven for 40 minutes. Top with remaining sauce and mozzerella and cook for additional 10 minutes.
Last 2 lbs of hamburger get browned for Rotel Dip or Lasagna or Tacos or............

CARAMEL FREEZER FRENCH TOAST
From 30 Day Gourmet and renamed by me. The french bread was on the WalMart 40% off rack, .60 cents each.

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 Tbsp corn syrup
1 loaf french bread
5 eggs
1 and 1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanila

In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Heat and stir until melted together. Pour into the bottom of a 9”x13” pan. Slice the loaf of French bread into 1” thick slices. Lay the bread slices on the syrup mixture in the pan, using most (if not all) of the loaf. You may need to squeeze some pieces in, or cut a couple pieces to fill in the holes, but you should be able to use most of the loaf. In a blender, mix together the eggs, milk and vanilla. Slowly pour the milk mixture over top of the bread, being sure to cover all the bread. (The pan will not be ‘swimming’ in the milk mixture… the bread will soak all of it up.)

Freezing Directions:
Cover pan with foil or use Press-n-Seal brand wrapping. Or put pan in a freezer bag. Seal, label and freeze.

Serving Directions:
Thaw. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cut into serving-size pieces. Serve, syrup-side up, on a plate sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Tammy’s Comments: (author of this recipe)

This recipe was an immediate family favorite at my house! If you have a small family, divide the recipe into two 8”x8” pans instead of a 9”x13”. If you want to make this recipe fresh, without freezing it, make it the night before and let it sit in the ‘fridge overnight.

Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

SHOWING OFF

I'm not one to flaunt it, I usually dont have "it".  In this case I'll give "it" up though.  I love cakes!!
I love baking them, decorating them, reading abouth them, dreaming about them.... and the looks on the faces of those who recieve them.

Here ya go...... suffer through a few of my past creations. Hmmmmm, maybe this will light a fire underneath me to start back up again?????

Cakeless in Paradise :(

Heather

EAT FROM THE PANTRY CHALLENGE

I've done this before when the occasion called for it (moving, excess month at the end of the money, etc) and it seemed like a good idea for this new year as I tend to stock up on the great sales, and then can't find room to put basic purchases. All meals made by me were already in my freezer/pantry, or planned from 3 weeks ago before our loss and it all went out the window (figuratively speaking)


This month has started a bit off with the funeral/family, but actually helped as well.

Jan 1st----Made White Chili that I had bought ingred for 3 weeks prior. Hardly anyone ate it as everyone wanted pizza after I started the chili. Chili went into freezer for future date!!

Sat Jan 2nd-- Sonny's BBQ catered in for lunch after the funeral courtesy of my late Grandpa Bob!! Leftover Appetizers and Meat/Cheese tray from my Mom & Roger

Sun Jan 3rd--Chicken Alfredo, Bread and Salad Courtesy of wonderful church friends

Mon Jan 4th--Leftovers Baby!!

Tues Jan 5th--Dinner from another wonderful church friend!!

Wed Jan 6th--Frito Pie- My oldest boy's favorite dinner

Thur Jan 7th--Dinner from church friend!!!! God Love Em!!

Fri Jan 8th--Cheeseburger Soup, Youngest Boy's favorite dinner-foccicia bread

Sat Jan 9th--Church Dinner!! Yeah Michelle!!

Sun Jan 10th--Spagetti & Meatballs, Middle child's favorite dinner.

The sweet gals at church are continuing even into the next week, but this is as far as my brain got.

There is always a supply of cereal, bagels, eggs, pancake makings for breakfast and I pack the boys' lunches every day. I think I am going to cut my grocery budget by HALF this month!!!

I have something of a pride problem and do not like to accept help from others, however I have been humbled by the incredible generosity of good friends and family who have taken care of us in this tough time.
Thank you all from the bottom of my Polish heart!!

Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH

We know I use coupons and try to snag some great deals weekly, or not, you know, life, priorities, in this case , funeral arrangements.
So I'm very happy for my one pitiful deal this week. Little thugs make me happy.



Publix. 32oz Snuggle sale. $3

-$2.00 coupoun. $1

Yea Me!!!


Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

CHILDREN AND GRIEF

I truly did not know how my boys would take the news of their Great-Grandpa's death. While they have experienced the death of both of their Great Grandma's, they were too young or to far removed from the situation to have much if any impact.
To say that my children were very close to Grandpa would be an overstatement, he spent alot of time hollering at them to pipe down, they rivaled his TV in volume! However Grandpa was a permanent fixture in their lives for 4.5 years, a constant, familiar. And a really good place to go and watch The Military Channel, Walker Texas Ranger, and beg chocolate.
Casey had a few silent tears, was very subdued the rest of the day, and sobbed for a half hour that night, I'm not sure if it was for his loss, or for Popcorn the dog, who parked herself on Casey's lap and looked very lonely.
Dane's tears were immediate , seeking and recieving consoling from me and I needing that to.
Cole.....if I had told him grass was green it would have been the same, that's just how he rolls.
It seems to me that children do not have the benefit of perspective that time brings, that grief is a very confusing and raw emotion for them, and like in all things, how they come out on the other side is strongly influenced by the adults around them.
Pearls Of Wisdom by Heather Allen. You're  Welcome.

Fast forward a week. Casey has had a ton of very earnest questions about death, burial, salvation and grief. It has lead to tremendous dialogue, often hard to get out of a pre teen boy! Both of the Tweedles have been a huge comfort to me, showering me with frequent hugs and luvins out of the blue.
The displays of Christmas Bendaroos I have found around the house this week make me smile, and know that My Boys, are good with this.



Jeesie+Robert (my granparents)
The cross representing Jesus




A note of love and consolation from my youngest.




Grandpa in Heaven ( wearing a halo). On the fridge.

Content in His Love

Heather

IT PAYS TO DIE IN FLORIDA

I don't remember my Nana's passing and funeral being this complicated. Everything seemed to flow and progress fairly effortlessly, at least that's my rose colored recollection of it.
This past week has been.....something. It seems that if you decide to die in the state of Florida, you need permission from several people first. Since Grandpa passed Christmas Eve Day, we had to wait until Monday for the attending doctor to sign the death certificate. EVERY death certificate in the state most go to the local Medical Examiners office for review before they will approve the Request for Cremation (which they are paid for of course). It pays to die in Florida, really, not you, but it does pay.
Of course the MEs office had to request records from the nursing home, who were not going to get them to the ME until after noon today because of the need for 6 layers of administrative permission and BS. At this point yesterday I had a mini meltdown on the phone, and the nursing home suddenly faxed the documents. I truly was grateful. I will call the MEs office again this morning and plead my case to get the Cremation Release, if it doesn't happen this morning, it won't because of the New Years holiday. It would be a bummer, however we will have a service regardless.

My wise spouse noted that "It would be easier to die in a third world country, at least you would know who to bribe."

Frustrated In Paradise!!

Heather

It Is With Profound Sadness....

That I share the passing of my beloved Grandfather, Robert "Bob" Murasko.




Grandpa was recovering in rehab following a fall a few weeks ago when he passed quickly early yesterday morning.

My Christmas is blue with him gone, yet joyous as he is finally
with his true love, Jessie.

These last 4.5 years with him have been a blessing to me. While a stern no nonsense man when I was a child, time had mellowed him considerably. We were much alike, and got along famously.

I praise God for my vocation as a nurse, and that he gifted my heart for the aged. Their wisdom, graciousness and quiet need has always moved my spirit in the deepest way.

I will miss the hundreds of one liners I have heard repeatedly everday since I was a baby, discussions of news, politics and WWII, lunch at Denny's, stroking his duck fuzz hair, and kisses goodnight.

I think the saddest thing is, and what has brought me to tears the most, is this...



Popcorn is lost without him. I believe she knows, she seems sad as well, never leaving me out of her sight. Casey's tender heart for animals has reached out to her and I see an early frienship forming.

I eagerly await the arrival of my extended family the end of this week for his funeral. He will be laid to rest at the VA cemetary with military honors.

Everyone's Favorite Pollock will be deeply missed.

Grieving In Paradise

Heather

I LOVE COUPONS!!!

It's no secret I am:

Tightfisted, frugal, a miser, Adept At Squeezing Blood Out Of A Turnip...so on and so forth.

I use coupons pretty regularly and am ALWAYS looking for ways to make the food stretch farther with this tribe. For not even being teenagers yet, they eat like lumberjacks!

Publix BOGO sales can't be beat. It was a small trip but every little bit counts.

These products at Publix-all BOGO

2 boxes Betty Crocker Au Grautin Potatoes

2 tubs Cool Whip

2 boxes Barber Frozen Stuffed Chx Breasts


Publix if bought full price=$17.97
Walmart price =$12.00
Publix. BOGO + coups. =$ 4.83

Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP

A huge favorite in Allen Appetizer Land. Best served hot with tortilla chips, although I would give it about 10 minutes to cool a bit or you will have to wrap your tounge like the kid in A Christmas Story. You can top with extra cheese if you like!!  Oh yeah,  it has a funky orange color to it, if you can get past that, it's all good!!!


BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP





16 oz cream cheese
1 cup ranch dressing
1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup hot sauce (in reality 1/2 cup is more like it unless you want heartburn)
3 ish chicken breast cooked and shredded.

Boil or Broil chicken and shred hot. Combine all ingredients until well mixed and bake at 350 for
20 minutes. YUMMERS!!

CHRISTMAS FOOD!!

What does your Christmas Feast look like?? The full blown Ham/Roast and 20 side dishes?? Or is Pizza more your style, ordered of course.

It is variable at the Allen House. 20 plus years in Missouri at my in-laws the fare was the standard Ham for quite a long time. And I love it!! Ham Sandwiches CANNOT be beat!

It is no different here in Paradise. This year we travel down the road to my sister's house for, of course, Ham Sandwhiches (ham cooked courtesy of my BIL John who comes from a family of caterers and is something of a food snob, and can outcook me any day of the week).

APPETIZERS!! I could live on appetizers, Hours de Vours, "Horsey Doors" as we called them as kids. I will be cooking:






1. Rotel Dip (no brainer) for my beloved nephew Josh, with hamburger of course.

2. Sausage & Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms (for my dear annoying BIL) I hate shrooms.

3. Buffaloe Chicken Dip. My most requested appetizer. Recipe to follow

4. Cheese Ball- Shaped like a football no less

4. Sausage Balls-from freezer cooking group

5. Cocktail Meatballs in that grape jelly/chili sauce stuff.

I think thats enough. Maybe.

CHOW DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!

HE WORKS HARD....

The Puritan Work Ethic in engraved in my man's DNA. He doesn't know any other way.

That being said. He sleeps hard as well. I have seen him fall asleep standing up, and in the bathtub. It's a gift.

So is this gem. Thank you to my nephew Brandon, who knows a good photo-op when he sees one!!




Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

SWEET GRANDPA

Those of you who know and love my Grandpa as I do will be bummed that he fell last week and fractured his pelvis.

He is currently in rehab for a month or so until we can get him walking again.

Very little dampens his good nature and perennial one liners, and as the fog of medicines has lifted, so has his disposition.

I think the hussy on his lap has something to do with that.



Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

NO REINDEER HERE!!!

Only Pink Flamingos' pull Santa's sleigh in Florida!!!



Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

THEY DO THINGS DIFFERENT HERE

Back in Mizzourah...lights are hung, and that's about it. Ho Ho....Hum. Yawn.



Here in Sunny Florida...they got it goin on!!! They put lights on their trees all right, their palm trees!! A neighborhood here in Jax, 100 houses or so, with thousands of light strung VERTICALLY from the branches to the ground. Wicked cool.


Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

MIDDLE CHILD

Terminally happy, outgoing, neat, orderly, helpful, obedient, polite. Self directed. Has book reports done the day they are assigned. Likes helping me in the kitchen. Practices piano without being told. Smart kid.



Also a nosy, "*%#-stiring, holier than thou 2nd grader.

I love his bounless enthusiasm for life, his adrenalin junkie tendencies (faster Daddy!), and how good he looks in uniform!!



Can't even begin to explain to explain this one



Village People come to mind.


Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

POPPYSEED BREAD

By popular demand, from a former coworker named Belinda in Jefferson City MO, who got it from who knows who.

I have made it my own and everyone loves me for it.
Yes, if you eat enough of it you WILL pop positive on a drug screen.



POPPYSEED BREAD

3 c. Flour.
3 eggs.
1.5 c. Milk.
2.25 c. Sugar
1 1/8 c. Oil
1.5 tsp baking powder
1.5 tsp butter extract
1.5 tsp almond extract
1.5 tsp vanilla extract
1.5 TBLSP Poppyseeds

Beat all for 2 minutes. Grease 2 large or 5 small loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Make glaze and pour over loaves while still in pans and warm to let glaze soak in. Remove when cooled.

Glaze:
3/4 c. Sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/4 c. Orange juice

These fit perfect in those cellophane type bags you find at the dollar store and curly ribbon!

Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

CHRISTMAS BAKING DAY

Every year, we bake, then eat, then bake, then.....you get the point.

My mom came to Florida to spend time with us girls and above is some of the "fruits" ( I hate fruit) of our effort.

Every year growing up mom made about a dozen different cookies, the majority of which contained nuts so therefore I wouldn't touch them ( I hate nuts also). I refuse to put that much effort into it because....well, I'm selfish. If I'm going to make it, I better be able to eat it!

The hands down most requested family favorite is Poppyseed Loaves. They have a wonderful sugar glaze that is poured on while the loaves are still warm. I think my mom made 24 of these today, I can't be sure, we may have eaten one??

4 batches Peanut Butter Blossom dough to freezer to make into cookies later. 1 batch Peanut Butter Bon Bons. 1 batch of my great great grandmothers fudge, without nuts of course. 2 Batches Oreo Truffles, these are usually eaten with, or in place of, every meal, and one batch of Ginger Crinkle balls.

I have plans for 5 or 6 batches of chocolate chip cookie dough, puppy chow, rice crispy treats for Da Hubby, and a few more batches of Ginger Crinkle Cookies. Set your plans low I say, the neighbors will surely stuff me with their concoctions. At least I hope so.


I really need to brush my teeth.


Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

My Life In Minutia

Does this day look familiar to you??


Up a 5am just to enjoy God's word and find the only quiet time of the day.

Coffee. Man Maintenance. Boys up, how many days wearing that shirt? Breakfast. Set out dinner from freezer meals and ingred in breadmaker.



Pack Lunches. Drop off boys. Home to clean up. Get Grandpa up. Help sister with paperwork.
Home. Feed me and Grandpa. Discipleship with my mentor Patsy! Pick up kids. Dane piano lesson. Casey to swim practice.


Big storm blowing in. Home for dinner. Chicken noodle soup and bread!! Yum!! Out to church if not under tornado warning. Hubby Snuggle. Kids bed. Pass out.



Do I hear an "Amen!!"??

Livin In Paradise!!

Heather

WE MOVED!!!

Ummmmm, yeah, I know it's been 2 years, no we have not been in suspended animation and Darrel is NOT still sleeping on the couch.
Life happened and I'm still chasing it!!
We have been in Jacksonville Florida one year now. Darrel is working for Servicemaster as a Contruction Manager doing restoration after disasters. I'm still hangin with Grandpa and the boys, who are now in the 7th, 2nd and First grade.

Above is a picture of our front porch this last May after putting in the front flower bed. You throw things at the ground down here and it grows.

I got myself an iPhone for Christmas last year and just found a handy little app that let's me do my blog from it. Sooooooo, gonna try this again. My intent is to post random thoughts, recipies, perspective and funnies as I see fit. Yeah, we all now how that worked!!

More to come (hopefully)

Livin In Paradise!

Heather