Dee

Nice to have you back Sandra. You sons will be in my thoughts and prayers and feel free to post their common military address if you like so care packages and upbeat cards get sent their way.

Here is a list of commonly stored pantry items and their shelf life: Use within six months: Powdered milk (boxed) Dried fruit (in metal container) Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container) Potatoes Use within one year: Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers) Peanut butter Jelly Hard candy, chocolate bars and canned nuts May be stored indefinitely (in proper containers and conditions): Wheat Vegetable oils Corn Baking powder Soybeans Instant coffee, tea and cocoa Vitamin C Salt Noncarbonated soft drinks White rice Bouillon products Dry pasta Powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans) In addition to the above items, my family stores honey, sugar, preserves and other niceties. We store items we use regularly such as ketchup, mayonnaise, jello, corn starch, canned soups, spices, dehydrated onions and dehydrated carrots, tomato paste and sauce. We store paper supplies and hygiene items too. [Don't forget your pets. At first this all seems very overwhelming, but we decided to begin with one item per week and it has grown. Sometimes we have extra cash (though infrequent it may be) and add more to our stock pile. Other times we have less and draw more heavily from this store. Invest the time now to learn what even the backyard squirrels know: Put away while there is, so there is when there isn't!

Turkey, gravy over biscuits, left over veggies from yesterday Chocolate Cake, Cats Chocolate Pie and fresh fruit for dessert. And jello

Chinese is good Darlene...

My Favorite Countries I love to read about are what else!!!! " ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, IRELAND, NORTHERN IRELAND AND WALES." I guess its the history of the countries that make them so fascinating to read about beside a slower way of life over there in the Isles and The Continent. Life is too busy here in the US.

I am bumping this post up again. Its so important for everyone to remember our US Troops, at home and overseas.

Because Sunday is always a busy day in our home I thought I would make Sunday Dinner today and have the leftovers tomorrow so here goes: I had a boned butterball turkey roast that I bought at Aldi back in November and I am going to cook it in the crockpot all day. I will make my famous applesauce and sausage stuffing in the oven along with A baked Squash baked in foil Home grown green beans with a butter glaze Applesauce and whole cranberry sauce Home made potato rolls and Fat and Sugar free pumpkin pudding for dessert. Total cost of meal per plate is .99 cents

I would have to say Sleeping Beauty by Walt Disney. Some of his earlier movies had alot of depressing stuff in them and even though the hero might have won out at the end his movies always had a sad feel to them. Next movie I can remember is when I was a young teen and that was A Hard Days Night with the Beatles. I couldn't hear a word they said with all the screaming going on. I think one of my most favorite animated movies has to be Shrek by the SKG Company. That movie conveys that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," which is so true. I always rally for the underdog...can you tell!

Substitutes, Recipes for Hard Times, And Cooking Ideas Baking Soda - Very soon after the onset of the Civil War, baking soda became a thing of the past. Some creative person came up with the idea of using the ashes of burned corn cobs in its stead and it worked. Sweep away the ashes from the fire place and light/burn the dried corn cobs (corn removed). Put the ashes into a glass jar and cover with water. Use this as you would baking soda in your baked goods. Sugar - Sugar was also relatively scarce and so the homemakers boiled down the juices pressed from watermelons to make syrups and even sugars. Naturally, they pickled the rinds and the seeds were saved to plant the next season..... waste not want not Chips - A friend introduced the idea of dehydrating zuchini chips and serving them with homemade salsas and dips. She will often "salt" them (prior to dehydrating) with powdered cheeses, season salts or herb powders also. One more idea for the ever abundant zuchini...with limitless variations. Store well for several months in gallon zip-lock bags. Eggs - If you're one egg short in a recipe, substitute one tsp of cornstarch.

I like your idea. I think I may make Mr. Reci a chef's apron, and put some nice lipstick on and put lip prints over the apron. I will also get some colored yarn or embroidery thread and put a little saying on the apron and make a little chef with the yarn or thread.

Bump it up.

I am dying here....ohhhhhhhhh chocolate.........all I can eat is no sugar added fudgies.

How about making a low carb pizza. Get mozzarella cheese and grill it on the stove in a bit of olive oil on low. Let it melt slow and in the meantime as the cheese spreads add a bit of sauce, veggies, cheddar and other cheese, garlic and whatever you want.

I hope you and your family enjoy it Cat. Its really good.

Good Point Momo! I can get in and out and stick to my list when I shop by myself.

Tonight is home made pizza night and Mr. Reci is the chef. We are going to use left over sweet and sour meatballs, zucchini, tomato slices, green beans, fresh onion rings, peppers, fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, Mozzarella, chedder and parmesan and romano cheese loaded on top. Left over chocolate cake with ice cream for Mr. Reci's sweet tooth. I am making some fresh squeezed lemonade too. Total Cost per plate per person: .69 cents per serving.

Budget Filet Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef 1/3 cup quick oats 2 Tablespoons barbecue sauce 4 Tablespoons brown sugar 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt Bacon slices Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Form mixture into patties. Wrap a slice of bacon around each patty. Hold bacon in place with a toothpick. Grill until meat reaches an internal temperature of 160º or well done. Patties should be brown, not pink, on the inside. Patties can also be baked in the oven at 350º for 30–40 minutes, until well done. For even cooking, flip patties half way through the cooking time.

Breakfast doesn’t need to be limited to traditional "breakfast" foods. Many foods can be included in a nutritious breakfast. Try some of these foods with a glass of milk for a quick morning meal: Turkey or chicken sandwich with fruit Spaghetti with tomato sauce Peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat toast Cornbread with applesauce Tuna on toast with fruit Grilled cheese and fruit Macaroni and cheese with fruit or juice Egg sandwich and fruit Low-fat yogurt with fruit or granola Cottage cheese with fruit Celery stuffed with peanut butter Frozen waffles, pancakes or French toast with applesauce topping Try different kinds of bread such as bagels, low-fat muffins, English muffins, pita bread, whole wheat bread, or rolls. Use a variety of fruits when they’re in season ­ grapes, bananas, apples, kiwi, berries, grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, and melons are quick and easy breakfast foods.

Recipe Corner Try this easy recipe to use up your leftover turkey. Turkey Noodle Dish Ingredients 3 cups chicken broth or water 1 lb. noodles 1/2 cup milk 2–3 cups cooked, diced turkey 6 slices cheese 2 cans cream of chicken soup Directions 1. Bring the chicken broth or water to a boil in a large pan. 2. Add noodles and cook until tender. 3. Add remaining ingredients and simmer, stirring occasionally, until heated through and cheese is melted. 4. Serve hot.

Recipe Corner Here's a pizza recipe that can be used as a snack, or combined with a salad and fruit for a balanced meal. Pizza Pockets Makes 8 servings Ingredients 1 can refrigerated flaky biscuits Prepared pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce Filling of your choice – chopped pepperoni, cooked ground beef, chopped vegetables, mozzarella cheese Heat oven to 400°F. Divide the biscuits and press each piece to form a 5-inch circle. Place pressed dough on a cookie sheet. Spread 1–2 tablespoons of sauce on half of the circle; don't put sauce too close to the edges. Add fillings. Fold the circle in half and press the edges with a fork to seal. Bake at 400°F. for 12-15 minutes or until golden.

Stretching Your Food Dollars If you're raising school-age grandkids, your grocery bills have probably gotten higher. Growing kids usually have larger appetites. Here are some tips for getting the most from your food dollars. Go shopping as few times as possible. Frequent trips add to family food costs because we tend to buy extras each time. Shop alone if possible. It's hard to say no to the children's favorite foods when they are with you. Take advantage of free or reduced-priced school lunch programs. Use low-cost protein foods like dry beans, eggs, peanut butter, turkey, chicken, and hamburger. Stretch meats by using them in sauces or casseroles. Use slow cooking and marinating to tenderize less expensive cuts. Turn leftovers into planned overs. You can sometimes get two meals for the price of one. Store cooked foods properly to make them last longer. Use nonfat dry milk for cooking instead of whole milk. Dry milk is equally nutritious, and can be less expensive. Shop from a list based on planned menus. Check the food advertisements for good buys. Sometimes, coupons can help you save money.

Sticky Chicken Chicken Club Sandwiches Chicken Soup- a big pot Chicken and Biscuits. Perhaps chicken and noodle dish if your cooking an eight lb roaster.

Sticky Chicken Recipe for the Crockpot #9909 - 11/22/02 06:09 PM Edit Reply Quote We eat this alot. Its very tender, flavorful and juicy. Enjoy 4 tsp. salt 2 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. thyme 1 tsp. white pepper 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1 large roasting chicken 1 cup chopped onion In a small bowl, thoroughly combine all the spices. Remove giblets from chicken, clean the cavity well and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture into the chicken, both inside and out, making sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin. Place in a resealable plastic bag, seal and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook chicken put it in the crockpot and do not add any liquid. As the cooking process goes on it will produce it's own juices. Cook on low 8 to 10 hours and it will be falling off the bone tender. Wait till you taste this.. This is heavenly. I am using the leftover chicken to make chicken and biscuits for Sundays meal. If you get a really nice plump bird you can also make sandwiches from the meat too for a meal. I try to stretch a whole chicken as much as possible.

Sticky Chicken Stuffing Left over weeks veggies home made biscuits applesauce made from scratch chocolate cake total costs per person: 1. 30 per plate

1. Cheddar Burgers Ingredients 1 lb Lean ground beef 1 c Grated Cheddar cheese 1/2 c Soft bread crumbs 1/4 c Minced onion 3 tb Heinz 57 Sauce 1/4 ts Salt Sandwich Buns, toasted Instructions 1. Combine first 6 ingredients. Form into 5 patties. Grill or broil to desired degree of doneness. Serve in sandwich buns; top with additional Heinz 57 Sauce, if desired. Makes 5 servings. 2. Chuck Wagon Salisbury Steak Yield: 4 Servings Ingredients 2 c Cornflakes 1 Egg 1/2 c Barbecue sauce 1 1/2 ts Salt 1/2 ts Black pepper 1 lb Ground beef Instructions 1. Measure cornflakes, then crush to 1 cup. Place crushed flakes in a mixing bowl. Add egg, 1/3 of the barbecue sauce, salt and black pepper; beat until thoroughly combined. Add ground beef; mix well. Shape into 4 oval patties, about 3/4" thick. Place in a shallow baking dish in single layer. Brush patties with the remaining barbecue sauce. Bake @ 375 degrees about 25 minutes for medium doneness. 3. Hawaiian Sweet-And-Sour Meatballs Yield: 4 Servings Ingredients 1 1/2 lb Ground beef 1/4 ts Nutmeg 1 ts Salt 2 tb Salad oil 1/2 c Brown sugar 2 c Fresh pineapple chunks 2 ea Eggs 1 ea Onion, minced 1/4 ts Pepper 2 ea Green peppers, bite size 1/4 ts Garlic powder or minced garlic 4 tb Cornstarch 1 1/4 c Pineapple juice 1 tb Soy sauce 1/3 c Water 3 tb Vinegar Instructions 1. Blend together beef, eggs, 1 t cornstarch, onion, pepper, nutmeg, salt, and garlic. Form into 1-inch balls. Heat oil in skillet; brown meatballs on all sides. In large saucepan add remaining cornstarch, soy sauce, vinegar, water, and brown sugar to pineapple juice. Cook until thickened; stir constantly. Add meatballs, fruit, and peppers. Cook 5 minutes or until fruit is well heated. Yield 4 to 6 servings.