Sisters and Best Friends

Yesterday I picked up my sister from the airport. She was using a buddy pass which means she only had to pay the taxes on the ticket. In exchange she could only get on the plane if there were empty seats. Her day started at 4:27 am to try for the 6 am flight. It was full. Bummer! So this changed the days plans. We were going to try fitting in the zoo. That didn't happen.

I recieved a call from a friend in the mean time. I was so glad to have a good friend to visit with while waiting. If any of you have a sister and love her you'll know how hard it is to be away from each other let alone waiting to see each other. My friend needed help shelling peas and had another friends kids over (which she didn't need help with :) ) It was a lot more fun shelling peas with other people. I have done it alone myself, yelling at the kids to help...then letting them run off because it is too hard to keep them busy.

My sister called at 3 pm to let me know she was getting on the plane. Hurray! Off we went. At 4:30 pm I picked up my sister and her daughter at the air port. What excitement. Oops, I forgot my hubby's supper. Thankfully the friends whom I spent the day with were able to get some food to him and let him know I was safe...as I did not leave him a message about the change in plans. Oops.

Now my sister and I are together making plans. See this post to see why my husband has reason to be afraid. :) I think we will begin with recovering our couch or tearing off the back porch.

Shopping Day

Yesterday I started writing and never got to the reason I started. I've been asked where I shop. I like to go to the nearest super wal-mart 15 miles away, but this is becoming less practical with the rise in gas.

I realized the economy of small towns will get better with the rise of gas prices. People often run off the the nearest large town/city to buy in bulk, but those savings are becoming a thing of the past. Local merchants are still able to bring things to our homes and tables for cheaper than we can go get it (@$4/gal).

Thankfully we have two of each kind of store. The competition with sale prices helps the budget a lot. It just takes a different kind of mind set and work that we are not accustomed to.

On to the point. I have made my grocery list from my menu. I try to buy one of each every week to stock up: flour, corn meal, oil, sugar, salt and any other storeable basics. You can freeze you flours for two weeks then store in a cool dry place. No, it doesn't get 'wet' or rancid after thawing. I've yet to have a problem. It kills any bug larvae that naturally comes in the flours. At this point it will last on the shelf for years.

By the way, my menu is only of supper. My husband gets leftovers for his lunches and we eat oatmeal/grits with eggs and home made bread for breakfast. Tired of oatmeal? Try this recipe.

Grocery Shopping

Why do we dislike it? I think it is due to the multitude of decisions that have to be made. Which brand? Is it healthiest? Can we afford it? I'm getting the cookies any way, because the kids are driving me nuts! Which cut of meat? Good ol' bacon or Canadian bacon? What is that any way? Canned is easier, but fresh (though better) will be no good to us after it has rotted in my fridge. How do I keep my kids and husband happy with food and still save money?!!!! Ahhhhh...!

We all know the drill. Run in, grab the favorites, some thing for a special dinner and order pizza out for supper that night.

For the past year I have been "playing" with our menu. I don't like things complicated, but I do like structure. How about calling it structured chaos or flexible structure. Whatever!

Here is what is working for us for the time being. View my menu.
Here is another one.

1. I've planned to have every ones favorites once a week. Some husbands don't like this, ask hubby what he thinks about every other week. I just wanted to make my grocery shopping experience easier on myself and the budget. And if he says he doesn't care...he really doesn't. Lucky you!

2. I have a soup and bread night and a bean and rice night every week regardless of complaints. If the children in India or Africa are starving and would be happy with rice or bread, I think my kids and husband can deal with it. (Go through the photo essay in the link above).

3. One meal a week is based on sale prices. Maybe I should do this more often, I just don't think I can get cheaper than rice and beans.

I don't know it all. These are just things that have helped me stay in a budget and keep every one happy for the most part. What is working for you all?

I have liked every thing from Kraft foods. They have great time saving recipes that the whole family likes.