The Joy of Tomatoes

I have an over abundance of Tomatoes from the garden... I never thought I would ever admit this, but I am getting pretty sick of tomatoes. Here are 12 ways to eat raw tomatoes.

1. Tomatoes sliced (with salt & Pepper)
2. Tomatoes w/cottage cheese & pepper
3. Tomatoes w/ balsamic vinegar drizzled on them
4. Tomatoes w/ Mayonnaise spread on them (& pepper)
5. Tomato sandwich
6. Tomato & Cheese sandwich
7. Tomato stuffed with tuna (salad) and sprinkled with dill
8 Tomato stuffed with chicken salad
9. Tomatoes chopped and mixed with chopped olives, garlic and a little olive oil (spread this on crackers~YUM)
10. Tomatoes sliced on scrambled eggs
11. Tomatoes sliced on a hamburger patty
12. Tomatoes sliced on your favorite sandwich.. (maybe not peanut butter)

I really do love tomatoes and am glad they came on so well in the garden. Any other ideas out there using tomatoes?

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Impossibly Easy Chicken & Broccoli Pie

I totally love Bisquick, I actually use the generic, I think it is called Krusteaz, and it works like a dream. If you have not tried the Impossibly Easy pie recipes from the "Bisquick" website. I highly recommend the recipes, it makes for some tasty frugal cooking and the left-overs are fabulous for my lunches.

1 box (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen broccoli cuts, thawed, drained
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz)
1 cup cut-up cooked chicken or 2 cans (5 oz each) chunk chicken, well drained
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs


1.Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. Sprinkle broccoli, 1 cup of the cheese, the chicken and onion in pie plate.
2.In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients with wire whisk or fork until blended. Pour into pie plate.
3.Bake 35 to 38 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 6 servings

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Saving Money on Halloween

I am totally saving a ton on Halloween this year.... I am not having it. I did buy some candy for the trick-or-treaters, to be passed out by whomever happens to be at home. I will be out of town for work on this day, and away at training for 2 days. I really have mixed feelings as I do enjoy dressing up and passing out the candy. But at the same time with that devastating financial blow, it is actually a blessing.

Making the Most of Every Dollar

I have pretty much recovered from what-ever ailments I was suffering from....and now I am suffering from a money ailment. I got hit with a 407.00 bill that I was not expecting. This is going to be a super tough month for me. I must say that the fall canned food sale was such a fabulous idea and I am so glad that I stocked up on what I did. I figure my grocery bill be very minimal...because it has to be. My bills will only get the minimum payment this month, so that I can have gas money to get to work for the rest of the month. It is terribly hard at times to make that paycheck stretch for the entire month. I only have 2 paydays before Christmas and really I am not even stressed. I plan on having a simple Christmas, and already have most of my gifts anyway. Another great feeling of planning ahead. I am trying so very hard to make the most of every dollar, not just this month but always.
Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Life

I have not been overly creative this week. I am still recovering from my illness, but I have made it to work everyday. So basically this week has just been filled with working and sleeping.
I do know on my days off that I must catch up on housework (if you can actually catch up).
Here is wishing you all a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Shepherd's Pie

Dinner tonight is Shepherd's Pie. I hope there are left-overs for my lunch tomorrow.

Ground beef (or Elk is what I used)
pepper and garlic powder
1 can of tomato soup
2 cans of tomato sauce or 1 big can
1 can of corn drained
1 can of french sliced green beans drained
left over mashed potatoes~ I had left-overs from last night
grated cheddar cheese

brown the burger season to your taste~ drain fat (if there is any) add the tomato soup and 1/2 soup can of water. Stir in the 2 cans of tomato sauce. Mix well and put in a casserole dish or cake pan. Drain the corn and sprinkle over the meat mixture. Drain the green beans and sprinkle over the meat mixture. Drop rounded spoons of the mashed potatoes right on top of the meat and veggies. Top with grated cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Broil on hi for about 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Saving The Dollar Bills

I talked to my sister on the phone yesterday, and I was telling her what my plan of action is to save for a cruise to Bermuda next year. I have been saving all of my one dollar bills. I have been doing this since October 1st. I found an old make-up case. The kind you get for free (well probably not free) at the clinique make-up counter, when they have their purchase specials. Anyway it is a green mid size zip up bag, that currently has 26 one dollar bills in it. My hope is that this is an easy way to save up some cash. I don't ever spend my change, so we will see how much I can accumilate.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Sick Day

Ok- here I am with the croopy crud. Sore throat, Sinus congestion, and chest congestion. Still trying to remain ever so frugal and not wanting to go to the drug store I am hanging on to my cash. I made one big trip to the medicine cabinet.
Vicks Vap-o-rub~ I just love this chest rub it is so soothing and opens up the air way. I am begining to breathe better already.
Mucenex~ Actually this is generic Mucenex left over from when my daughter was sick awhile back. I am so greatful to have found these.
Emergen-c~ I like this hot, and probably need the vitamin c to boost the immune system.
Nyquil~ this will come in handy at bed time.
Add my hot tea and plenty of rest. I have been laying in bed and sipping my tea.
I hope to be well or at least much better in a day or two.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!!

Saving Money Everyday

I got to thinking, and here are some tips and tricks that I use everyday to save money.

1. I pack my own lunch...today it was Chili and an egg salad sandwich, and apple. The eggs I scored for free an 18 pack of farm fresh eggs from a friend who is house sitting.
2. I fill up my gas tank every week. I am not completely sure how this saves money but it does save time because I commute, so with a full gas tank I am ready to begin my week.
3. I recycle cans and bottles. Sometimes I get lazy and let them stack up but the last time I cashed them in I had $12.65.
4. I rarely go shopping.
5. I paint my own nails...complete manicures, and pedicures, while watching TV in the comfort of my home.
6. I swap clothes with friends.
7. I cook at home.
8. I drink water (and coffee and tea) No soda pop for me.
9. I reheat and reuse leftovers or create a "new" dish out of leftovers.
10. I try to be as happy as I can with what I have.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Packing My Lunch

I just love packing my lunch, and saving. Today I am taking a cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread with tomato slices on the side (to avoid the sog factor), A stuffed tomato with tuna and dillweed on top. I seem to have an abundance of tomatos from the garden and am always looking for creative ways to eat them. I also brought a yogurt and 2 little blueberry bars. It seems to me, that not only is it cheaper but it is also healthier to pack your lunch. My plan is at months end....any cash I have left in my purse, will go into my savings account.

Have a Fabuous & Frugal Day!!!!

Rescued Chilean Miners

I know this has nothing to with saving money.... But I have been watching CNN all day and I am so excited for the guys (and their families) being rescued. This is truly the best news story I have seen in a long time. No doom and gloom. It is just so refreshing to see some positive "good news" for a change.

Free Water

Yesterday I decided to take advantage of the rain. I removed the plastic coverings on my garden and folded them back, this is in an effort to avoid freezing at night. I wanted to take advantage of the free water. It rained at a moderate level for most of the day yesterday, and today my garden is happy and rejuvenated.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Thrift Store Galore

I was recently out of town visiting another city in my wonderful states of Oregon, when I happened upon a thrift store. Of course I went in to check it all out and trust me my husband was less than thrilled, but I promised him that I would only look around on the bottom floor. (I am still trying to find a reason to go back so that I may check out the top floor). Anyway in about a 20 minute time frame, I found a pair of size 8 Calvin Klein mid rise jeans, a red leather (glove leather) belt, a Pair of black clogs (shoes)` brand new, a maroon zipper front long sleeved light weight sweater and a Tommy Hilfiger sweater in red, white and blue. I also found a Liz Clayborn small over the shoulder purse in black, almost brand new. I was absolutely thrilled with my finds and here comes the best part...... $18.00. Yes Eighteen dollars!!! I am thinking about taking a picture of my outfits and posting them.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Fall Canned Food Sale

Sorry I have not posted for awhile, I have been working and had to go out of town for a few days.
Recently I shopped a local grocery store for the fall canned food sale. I spent 174.00 on canned food and here is a run down of what I ended up with.
1 case of canned evaporated milk (for my senior citizen kitty) and when I run out of regular milk for cooking (no sense running to the store)
1 case of Nalley Chili, my daughter and I love this. I made chili cheese omelettes the other night and they were delish.
1 case of Tuna fish~ I will never have to wonder what kind of sandwich to take to work. I also love tuna and saltine crackers, it is one of my favorite lunches.
1 case of applesauce. I use it for baking and I eat it right out of the can.
1 case of mandarin oranges....I could live off these.
1 case of green beans. I use these in soups and make with dinner.
1 case of corn. I also use these in soups and to make with dinner.
1 case of spaghetti sauce, my daughter mostly uses these, but when I make zuchinni parmesean I always use canned spaghetti sauce.
1 case of diced tomatoes. I use these in spaghetti, and soups.
1 case of tomato sauce. Use for cooking spaghetti, casseroles and soups.
It seems as if I am missing 2 cases of something....but cannot think of what it is.
I am very happy to have my pantry over flowing. The use by dates are in 3 to 4 years for most of it. I am just thankful because with my pantry so full, all I will have to buy at the store is essentials, like bread, milk, potatoes, yogurt, and whatever the loss leaders of the week happen to be. Everyday I feel like packing my lunch, is not such a chore.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Best Taco Soup

1 lb Burger (any burger) brown in skillet throw in soup pot and add the following
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
1 can of corn, juice and all
1 can rotel mild or med tomatoes & chiles, w juice or use canned diced tomatoes
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg ranch dressing mix

enough water to cover ingredients. Heat until warm (or piping hot)

Serve: Grated cheese and crunched up tortilla chips on top.
Enjoy!!

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!