Muddy Buddies.....

This recipe is on the back of many boxes of Chex cereal. It's one of my kids favorite "Christmas candies" and it's usually on the table to snack on during the holidays.    This year, the older boys asked me to fix a double batch for them before they went out of town for a few days. They told me they ate it with milk!!!

(This can be kept fairly frugal if you catch the cereal on sale and have coupons from Smartsource.)

9 cups Rice Chex®, Corn Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
 

2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

This Year's "Birthday Cake for Jesus":

This is one, of several, of our Christmas Traditions. What would a Birthday be without a Birthday Cake???

It's all part of our celebration of the Birth of Our Lord.

This year, I had a request for our heirloom recipe for Coconut Cake....and since we had 6 pies, I decided that 2 cakes would not be necessary! ;-)

BTW, the candy decorations were bought last year on clearance after Christmas!

Here's a pic of the one from last year. They are usually different every year.

Menu Plan ...

Happy Menu Plan Monday!
I'm kinda cheating a little this week as this is my menu from last week that somehow never got posted! Oops!
But this week will be a little boring because I fixed a huge meal (double batches of everything) for Christmas and we will eat lots of leftovers until they are gone.(That meal is on this menu plan on Friday,* below.) I have another small turkey laid out that I will cook to finish everything off and then we will eat quick fix meals so as to have MUCH time to play! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas- and hope you all have a great New Year!


SATURDAY-
-Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, green salad, homemade applesauce
-(turkey) Polish Sausage Skillet Dish, leftover Lemon Cake
Snacks: buttered popcorn, chocolate pudding, oranges

SUNDAY-
-white beans, cornbread, turnip greens, Easy Homemade Chocolate Cake
-White Bean Chicken Chili, fried cornbread, cake
Snacks: oatmeal cookies and milk, sliced oranges

MONDAY
-Sammy's, green salad, raisins
-leftover Chicken Chili, fried cornbread, blueberry compote
Snacks:oranges, pickles, Muddy Buddies

TUESDAY-
-Cheeseburger Macaroni, romaine salad, lima beans, Applesauce Pudding
-Cranberry Beans and Bacon, corny cornbread, green onions, Orange Bread
Snacks: raisins, almonds, crackers and cream cheese

WEDNESDAY-
-Frittata, green salad, Apple Spice Muffins
-Simple Spaghetti, Easy Bread Sticks
Snacks: Leftover bread sticks, oranges

THURSDAY-
-turkey patties with cheese, speckled butter beans, corn, poppy seed muffins
-Orange-maple baked chicken, green salad, buttered brussel sprouts, leftover muffins
Snacks: muffins and pear preserves, boiled eggs and mustard

FRIDAY-
-Pumpkin pancakes with blueberry sauce
-*Turkey, ham, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, potato salad, dinner rolls, stuffed celery, lima beans, dressing, apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, coconut cake, Happy Birthday Jesus Cake, Cranberry salad
Snacks:cakes and pies

Frittata

Eggs and cheese make for a great protein dish, anytime. The Veggies in Frittatas can be mixed and matched to suit your families taste.

Meats, such as diced ham, crumbled bacon, etc can be added as well.

This is for a 9x13, this could be halved and baked in a deep pie dish or smaller square dish.

12 eggs

1 cup of milk

3/4 t salt

1/2 pepper

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1 1/2 cups mild cheddar cheese

Beat eggs and milk well.

Blend in remaining ingredients, pour into sprayed 9x13.

Top with chives.

Bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

Allow to set a couple of minutes before slicing.

*Served here with romaine salad and banana nut muffins.

Simple Mandarin-pomegranate Fruit Salad

This is a simple, no-brainer, with mandarin oranges and pomegranate seeds.

I made a simple glaze with the juice of one orange, a tablespoon of milk, and enough powdered sugar to make a glaze.

It's really pretty! It would be great at breakfast or brunch, and so easy!

Apple Bread with Homemade Ice Cream

Yummy apples with a nice, lightly sweetened bread underneath, served hot with homemade vanilla ice cream!

I used an odd-shaped baking dish for this, but you can use a deep, glass 5x9.

Mix;

1/3 cup cane sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

Toss in;

4 1/2 cups peeled, sliced apples

Dump apples in buttered baking dish.

***

Cream 1/4 cup butter with 1/2 cup cane sugar.

Add 1 egg

1/2 t vanilla

1 1/4 cup unbleached flour

1 t baking powder

Spread thick batter over the apples in the baking dish.

Bake at 350 for 32-35 minutes.

Serve hot.

Served here with some leftover homemade ice cream from the freezer.

Menu Plan.....

(Snowflake Cookies)

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

This week starts off in a White Winter Wonderland here in the South! Woo hoo! Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Over the weekend, I rendered about 14lbs of beef fat, froze up the leftovers for the Beagles a treat from time to time, boiled up a few pounds of chicken, and made some yummy broth for a pot of stew! Let's go week, here I come with bells on, and packing lard! (well, tallow)

SATURDAY:
- Chicken and cheese wraps, carrots and dip, leftover Muddy Buddies
- Beef Stew, buttermilk cornbread, Mandarin-pomegranate Salad
Snacks: Cherry Cheesecake, Christmas cookies, homemade hot chocolate

SUNDAY:
- Leftover Beef Stew, fried cornbread, oatmeal cookies
-Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, green salad, Red Velvet Cake
Snacks: hot chocolate milk, My Fave Banana-nut Muffins, sliced oranges

MONDAY:
-Split Pea Soup, cornbread, leftover cake
-Frugal Meat Dish, buttered spaghetti squash, green salad
Snacks:sliced oranges, pomegranates, Wacky Banana Cake

TUESDAY:
-leftover soup, fried cornbread, Lemon Oatmeal Bread
-Dump Chicken, seasoned onion rice, green salad, leftover Lemon Bread
Snacks:Banana Split Smoothie, orange slices, hot chocolate milk

WEDNESDAY:
- Salmon Patties, cauliflower, lima beans, Applesauce Pudding
-Meatza Pie, green salad, peas and carrots, Lemon Sponge Cake
Snacks:salsa and chips, pistachios, orange slices

THURSDAY:
-Beef (or turkey) Goolash, layered salad, buttermilk wheat muffins, jelly
-Oven Fried Chicken Thighs, speckled butter beans, turnip greens, Lemon Glazed Berry Bundt Cake
Snacks:raisins, orange slices, boiled eggs and mustard

FRIDAY:
- soft  beef-n-bean tacos, corn salsa, Berry Cream Shakes
-Turkey Loaf, Annie's mac-n-cheese, asparagus, fruit salad
Snacks: Buttermilk biscuits, pear preserves, orange slices

Applesauce Pudding...

This recipe is from More With Less, but I take a few liberties with it.

I use;
1 and 1/2 pkgs of graham crackers,
1 quart of homemade apple, pear, or blended sauce,
cane sugar,
and cinnamon.

I layer them in a square baking dish, starting with the crackers and ending on top with the applesauce, cane sugar, and cinnamon.

Chill before serving so as to soften the crackers. (This sets quick-within 15 minutes, so its a great go-to dessert.)

-This is also so easy that one of your little kitchen helpers could be taught to fix it!
-I topped with some leftover whipped cream but it's not necessary, its yummy without it!
My kids love it!

Some of My Fave Quick and Easy "Go-To" Meals ...

I don't know a mother who doesn't occasionally get herself in a pinch for time around mealtimes. How could we not?   ..Little Jimmy wants to show us how he can make his car go over his homemade ramp (for the 52nd time), and Sister Sally wants to tell you her baby's name and have you rock it for just a ''minute'' (plan on at least ten, at the most 20, and you may have to feed and diaper it too), big brother Billy needs help with his homework (count on having to go over the whole lesson, so as to remind yourself how to do it first- and brain fog will keep you from getting it the first time, so go ahead and read it twice), big sister Becca wants to know if you will listen to the story she just wrote, and not to mention dear ole Dad wants you to "come here for a second" at least 33 more times today!


-sigh- Now that I'm done 'venting' ;-)...on with the food!


Here's some of my fave, ''go-to'', quick-fix, not gonna eat out, cook at home meals:


**Eggs!-  a great 'go to':
-make 'breakfast'
-egg salad sandwiches, pitas, or even wraps (make a double batch of a bread once a week and store in the fridge for these
-taco pitas- ground beef, cheese, and or beans...topped with cheese and any veggies
-frittata- you can bake these done on about 20 minutes (I got a new recipe to put up, will try before the week's end!)...eat with a salad, veggie, or fruit
-boiled eggs and 'snack' type foods, such as carrot sticks, a salad, bread
-eggs and applesauce (with toasted breakfast bread) is much loved here, anytime of day
-deviled eggs with a salad and a fruit
-omelets, with fruit, oatmeal, hashbrowns, and/or toasted breakfast bread
-More with Less has some good egg ideas too!

**Wraps! endless possibilities:
-buy or cook these up and store in fridge and freezer for long term
-beans and cheese, any veggies on or as a side, but not always
-any cheese, leftover meats, any veggies and sometimes fruits
-breakfast burritos (scrambled eggs, with onions, sausage or bacon maybe, peppers, cheese, maybe salsa)
-soft tacos (keep taco seasoned meat in the freezer when you can, in something that will quick thaw)
-sandwich meats and cheeses, maybe veggies on or as a side
-quesadillas, with cheese or whatever is on hand, side opt: refried beans, rice, salad, chili beans, etc
-use romaine lettuce leaves as a wrap or 'boat' and stuff with leftovers  (chicken, cheeses, etc)
-creamy chicken enchiladas

**Pasta-whole grain to be sure!
-homemade Main Dish Macaroni with any quick frozen veggies such as peas and carrots
-simple spaghetti (sauce and noodles- and you could drop in any frozen, pre-cooked beef from the freezer)
-Creamy chicken and pasta dishes (make a white sauce- or blend milk, cream cheese, Parmesan, salt and pepper)
-(cold or hot) pasta salad with any leftover meats; ham, bacon, ground beef, chicken....season Italian, Mexican, etc, serve with some sort of veggie salad or fruit salad

**Home canned soups or tomatoes:
-easy quick meal..other veggies can be added, leftover meats, or frozen cooked meat just dropped in
-soup with fried cornbread, or quick flatbread, or just crackers


**Chicken:
-cook up when you can, whole chickens or skinned fryer breast (it's good to cook up enough for 4 meals, once a month--that way you have about 1 meal a week that chicken could be quickly thawed and used..just be sure to store in a container that can be dropped in hot water for quick thaw, etc)
-we have one local store that sells chicken tenders and popcorn chicken in 10lb boxes, often on sale at $10 or less here lately   ..They are not pre-cooked but can be put straight in the hot oven, along with some quick sliced potato wedges or cheap fries.
-canned chicken is a great help to have on hand, I only buy it when its cheap
-with cooked chicken on hand, you can easily whip up; chicken salad for wraps and sandwiches etc, chicken for a green salad, chicken for pasta dishes, chicken for soup, casseroles, pizza, etc
-remember chicken can be seasoned in every way (Mexi, Italian, lemon pepper, etc)
-make 'dump chicken' for the freezer and you can lightly thaw and toss it in the oven to bake

**Ground beef (or other ground meats):
-can be pre-seasoned and cooked ahead of time, stored in containers for quick thaw (I like things that can be dropped in hot water)...  Corn tortilla tacos, taco salads, etc are made super quick.
-sloppy-joe meat (who says you have to put it on buns?..press in biscuit cups, pita pockets, English Muffins, etc
-my crew loves hamburger soup
-thawed, cooked, ground beef can be an easy topping for quick pizzas (Who says you have to have pepperoni?)   I think pizzas are pretty quick and frugal, and can be made from healthy ingredients. *To speed the rising, sit the bowl in hot water.*
-again, tacos and burritos are pretty quick (you can use corn tortillas in place of taco shells to keep prices down, and you can easily make homemade tortillas and wraps
-flatbreads (chapati) stuffed with just about anything, very filling when made with whole wheat, veggies and meats can be stuffed in them
-my crew loves 'meat patties'..with any ground meat (I often add finely chopped veggies, and bread crumbs etc, as you would a meatloaf...sorta like meatloaf patties, often topped with whatever cheese is on hand  ..These are quick, and all you need to add is a couple of quick veggies from the freezer and/or a salad.

**Beans+:
-cook up in advance, freeze for quick thaw--Beans and cornbread with a side of greens makes a great quick fix meal when you have stored, cooked beans.
-make huge batches of chili and freeze in containers that can be dropped in the crock or oven safe dishes to heat in the oven
-just about any bean can be mashed, seasoned, and used in wraps, with or without meat, with veggies like lettuce, tomato, onions, etc
-bean patties are pretty quick (mix mashed beans with egg, seasonings, and bread crumbs,whole grain flour, or even rice, etc)
-beans can be made into a loaf, like meatloaf

**Fish:
-canned salmon for salmon patties and salmon loaf, with quick salad, or quick cook frozen veggies
-tilapia, these fillets can be baked up in 15 to 20 minutes- they can be quickly seasoned with your favorite seasoning salt before baked on a lightly buttered pan
-precooked frozen shrimp, thaws quick under warm water- toss in salads, pasta dishes, and quick stir-fry
or even make a sandwich spread with them
-canned tuna- tuna salad, tuna and crackers, tuna in homemade mac and cheese etc
-canned clams for quick clam chowder
-baked salmon fillets- if kids won't eat them plain; bake and crumble in a quick cream sauce and serve over pasta

**Turkey hams:
-you can buy these for less than $4 and slice them for quick pan frying for any meal, but goes great with breakfast foods
-dice them and toss them in a stir fry, pasta dish, quesadillas, soups, omelets, frittatas, wraps (with eggs and cheese), or even with some beans or a salad..again, be sure to store in something you can thaw up quick in warm water

Taco Casserole...

2lbs ground meat (turkey, chicken, beef, or a mix)
1 pkg taco seasoning (or homemade)
1/4 cup water
Mix all three and pat in the bottom and up the sides of a 9x13.

Mix:
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
1 can sliced black olives
1/3 cup chopped green onions
2 cups crushed tortilla  chips
Mix well and spread over ground meat.

Top with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

Bake 375 for 40 minutes.

Tips:
-you can drop the veggies, or mix and match others
-you can use low fat ingredients
-you can half this recipe and bake in a 9 inch pie plate

I usually serve it with a salad,  black bean salsa, confetti, re-fried beans (and maybe rice), etc.

Menu Plan Monday...

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

BREAKFASTS: oatmeal, Pumpkin Pancakes from the freezer, Buttermilk Biscuits

SATURDAY:
- turkey meatloaf, green salad, corn, cupcakes
-Pizza on my fave whole wheat crust, cookies, limeade
Snacks: sliced apples, almonds, chocolate milk

SUNDAY:
-Christmas tree biscuits(made with rendered beef fat and butter), homemade jellies, butter and honey, hot chocolate milk  (this was after playing outside in the falling snow, and building a fire around the fire pit!)
- canned garden soup (tomatoes, okra, corn), Applesauce Pudding
Snacks: boiled eggs and mustard, almonds, (whole food) fondue with bananas

MONDAY:
- Creamy Enchiladas, green salad, tutti-fruity compote
- Turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, lima beans, cherry crisp
Snacks: fried bananas, deviled eggs, cranberry slushes

TUESDAY:
-leftover turkey and gravy, dressing, lima beans, baked apples
- Cheeseburgers on homemade buttermilk buns, potato wedges, chocolate pudding
Snacks:homemade applesauce, carrots and cream cheese dip, cheese and crackers

WEDNESDAY:
- Chicken Hollandaise, green beans, fruit salad
-Poor Man's Steak and gravy, green salad,cranberry salad, rustic spelt rolls
Snacks: leftover rolls with butter, apples, buttered popcorn

THURSDAY:
- Onion Soup with french bread, Chocolate-carob custard
-Beef-n-Cabbage Bake, green salad, sweet potatoes
Snacks: Sour Gummy Worms, hot chocolate milk, apples

FRIDAY:
-Frugal Stir Fry, apple pie
-Leeks-n-chicken, spinach salad, chocolate silk pie
Snacks:carrot sticks with cream cheese dip, apples, Blue-cherry-berry smoothies

There's More Than One Way to Deal With Grief!

During the week my husband lost his mother, I spent much time trying to cook up things that would bring him a little---distraction!

To him- there's nothing like food to drown your sorrows in! ;-)

sloppy-joes on buttermilk buns

cheeseburgers on buttermilk buns

chocolate meringue pie

cinnamon rolls

Did he drown? Nope, but he was distracted as long as he was chewing!

Frugal Gifts That Keep Giving!

HAPPY FRUGAL FRIDAY!
Last year, Brandy did a great guest post called; Christmas on a Zero Budget .

 I would like to encourage you all to go check it out again! It is worth re-reading!

But what if you have some to spend this year and you want to get the most bang from your buck? You don't want to waste...you don't have much to spend...but you want it to be a well-used gift, not something that will become toy box stuffing. ;-)

Below are gifts that my six kids have played with for years. 

They are always within reach- not at the bottom of the toy box-

and they've given many great memories to our home!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland....

Every year, no matter how cold, we will go walk the block that this house sits on. The whole yard is lit up! The picture can't even come close to capturing everything. The back yard has pretties, the sides have pretties, from front to back, the yard is covered! I wish I could take you all with me--- but you'd have to bundle up! Brrrr! We're seeing snow flurries today! Woo hoo! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

I'm not sure how blogger will handle this pic-- and those of you with wide screens will get a better view- but hopefully you can see some of it ;-)