Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Buying a Cow


Thinking back when my husband and I were first married (almost 10 years ago), we didn't eat much meat.  I never made a roast and mashed potatoes on Sundays like I do now.  It wasn't practical for us, too many leftovers.  Plus, we were in a stage of our lives with dual incomes, we probably ate out way too much!

Fast forward 10 years and 2 hungry sons later, we eat a lot of meat!  We go through a lot of groceries!  I never thought I would be such a loyal Costco shopper.  Bulk is for us, otherwise we would be at the store everyday to refill the stock! 

Lately, I have really wanted to try to buy part of a cow for our meat.  About 2 months ago, my brother-in-law came to us asking us if we would like to split a 1/2  cow with him.  Turns out, his best friend lives on a farm and was going to slaughter a cow and can only take half the meat!  We were instantly interested!

We ended up paying only about $3/lb for our meat.  My husband brought home about 116 lbs of beef.  We got a lot of packs of ground meat, several different kinds of roasts, lots of varieties of steaks, some ribs, and miscellaneous pieces.  The 1/4 of a cow filled up our deep freezer in the basement.  I am anxious to see how long our cow lasts us!  It will definitely be a great budget helper this year, now that we do not have to buy any beef!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Menu Plan Monday - Week of February 27, 2012


Monday - Eat Out (special treat for the boys, I'll post out adventure later in the week)!
Tuesday - Beef Noodle Soup with Biscuits
Wednesday - Chili with Cornbread
Thursday - New Pork Chop recipe - I will post later!
Friday - Mom's Night Out
Saturday - Parent's Night Out
Sunday - Steaks and Potatoes!

This post is linked at MPM at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Menu Plan Monday (or Tuesday)


Okay, I'm a day late!  But at least I have a plan!  We had a busy weekend which left me
E-X-H-A-U-S-T-E-D on Sunday night and Monday!  I need to remember to slow down and take a nap at least one of those days!  So here is the plan:

Monday - Crock Pot Beef Stew (it was delicious)!
Tuesday - Sausage Cheese Soup
Wednesday - Baked Chicken Legs and Easy Seasoned Potatoes
Thursday - Meat Manicotti and garlic bread
Friday - Eat Out!
Saturday - Family Dinner to Celebrate a Birthday!
Sunday - Slow Cooker Parmesan Honey Pork Roast and Mashed Potatoes

This post is linked at MPM at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Let’s Save Some $$ - Contact Your Cable Company

Recently I had a very positive experience in lowering our cable/internet/phone bill. Recent bills had been $119.96 before taxes. When I received our February bill, it had jumped to $129.99. I was a bit irritated at the $10 per month increase and was ready to switch. In our area we have two competing cable companies. I searched the internet site of the competing company and they were offering $89.95 per month for the same bundle for 12 months! Wow – I want to switch now! Then I thought of all of the hassles of switching companies. I decided to call our current supplier.
When I was talking with the Customer Service Representative he explained that our bundle pricing has expired and hence the increase we received. I asked for a better package. He came up with a cost before taxes of $123.96. Not much of a savings I explained to him. I then let him know what the competing company was offering. Quickly he said, “well we have competitive price matching let me see what I can do.” He quickly came back with $93.00 before taxes.
So with a 5 minute call, I was able to save $36.99 per month off of our cable/phone/internet bill!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Progresso Souper You Contest


This year, the Souper You® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season´s live finale of NBC´s The Biggest Loser

Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd

Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th

In addition, visit http://bit.ly/ProgressoCoup to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of four (4) cans of Progresso Soup today, and feel free to share with your blog readers so they can take advantage of the savings as well

Also, tune into The Biggest Loser on NBC Tuesdays at 8/7c

Click here to watch this amazing video of the 2011 winner experience. 

 This information was provided to me by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Menu Plan Monday - Week of February 6, 2012


You name it, we've had it!  Fevers, colds, runny noses, coughs, sore throats, pink eye, ear infections, sinus infections, and stomach bugs!  It has been a rough month around here.  Just when we think we are all better, someone comes down with a new ailment.  I am ready to kick these germs out of our house!  The weather has been crazy, 50 one day, 30 the next.  It is time to rid this winter goodbye and welcome spring and better luck!  So after a menu-less week last week, I am attempting to cook this week, wish us luck!

Monday - Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday - Chili Ranch Pork Chops
Wednesday - Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Thursday - Beef Stroganoff and Crescent Rolls
Friday - Jambalaya!
Saturday - Parents Night Out!
Sunday - Turkey Breast and Mashed Potatoes

This post is linked at MPM at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Blog's I'm Following!

It's been awhile since I've listed some of the blogs I LOVE to read.  I have some new ones I think you will enjoy checking out, they are some of my new favorites!

Family Balance Sheet

The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom


The Fiskerelli Bellies




Check them out today!

3 Free Bagels at Bruegger's on 2/9!


Thursday, Feb. 9, Bruegger’s will celebrate National Bagel Day and its 29th birthday with a FREE food offer for all of its guests. Through 2 p.m., guests who bring a coupon to any of Bruegger’s 300 locations will receive three free bagels to take to the office, home, or enjoy all to themselves.

It's not too late to join Bruegger’s “Fresh News” email club.  If joined by 11:59 February 7th guests will receive the coupon via email.  This is a great chance to remind your readers of Bruegger's "Fresh News" email club.  Those who join will also receive a coupon for a free bagel and cream cheese as a thanks for signing up. 

Guests can also download the coupon from the “Birthday Bash” tab on Bruegger’s Facebook page or pull it up and show it on their Smart Phone.