Day #51 – Sasquatch’s

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I noticed that I was running out of the cacao that I make the coffee drink out of. We went to Sasquatch because they carry the best quality for the cheapest price. That was all we went for. I went to the baking area and they were out. The store restocks on Thursdays so Fridays are always the best time to go. I wasn’t going to grab a cart, but while I was in the baking area Donny had already grabbed one and was shopping.

When we were going to checkout I asked the owner if he knew when they were going to get the cacao back in. Luckily one of the girls that worked there heard me and said she thought they had some in the back. I got 2.5 pounds for $15, which is a fantastic deal. We ended up spending a little less than $40 and got all of this.

The two packages of goat cheese was free with any $5 purchase.

We also got a case of these for $5. I’m not a big advocate of chips, but when they are this inexpensive I’ll get them for the kids. I honestly didn’t realize just how many were in here and the big box really didn’t fit anywhere so I thought I’d just put them in a trash bag.

Not much better. They will be eating chips for a long time. All in all the trip turned out to be a good deal.

Donny had to run and get milk and came back with the best thing ever.

I finally got a good watermelon. The last one was so bad. It was pretty to look at, but it was tough and I didn’t know watermelons could even be tough. No more watermelons from Aldi.

Day #50 – Swiss Chicken + Wrigley Update + Anniversary

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Well, I’m halfway to the 100 days. It always seems like time moves so fast lately.

I have to add this recipe because It was SO good. It’s from the Tasty Recipes from The Texas Hill country cookbook from 1999.

I’m not a huge fan of chicken dishes, but I will definitely add this one to the rotation of meals. I think it would also be good if you cut the chicken in pieces also and used shredded Swiss cheese. Anyway, however you make it, it will be a hit.

If you don’t know who Wrigley is, he is our neighbors very neglected dog. VERY neglected! I had called animal control for a wellness check for him. They were not happy with what they saw and gave them stipulations that they must abide by. Well, nothing had been done. I emailed the animal control officer who I had talked to and she told me that they have a visit scheduled for tomorrow to check on the progress. Tonight when Donny and I were leaving the house I saw that their gate was open and the wife was backing their SUV into the carport. When we got home Wrigley was back in the yard. I’m hoping that he went to the vet or groomers. His coat looks better. We have lived here 5 years and that dog has not had a bath the whole time. How do I know this? I brush him over the fence because they never have. I mowed today and for the past couple of months he hasn’t had energy to get up and come to the fence. I think even if they do eventually comply they still will never take him for a walk, go into the back yard to play with him, he’ll only get the food thrown into the old pot they use for his bowl with not even a backward glance.

Today is also the 9 year anniversary of being rescued off of our roof after having to spend the night on it.

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I am so thankful that Donny had foresight, although we honestly didn’t think we would need it, to put the ladder outside by the roof so we could climb up. This picture was taken in the early morning because it was late at night when the flood hit. I will always be thankful for the Cajun Navy and just all of the people of Baton Rouge that worked together to rebuild the city.

Day #49 – College + Thrift

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Today was “orientation” for incoming freshman. It was basically following signs to make sure everyone had their ducks in a row and could start their classes later this month. Jackson really didn’t have to be there (we didn’t know this) because he had completed everything. Hannah was in the system but we could never pull her up. They took car of that and we just need one more thing for her to get completed. Such a weight taken off. They are both excited about starting and everyone at registration were so nice.

Kilgore is such a good junior college. I’m glad they are both going.

We were all having so much fun we decided to go thrifting. Both the kids love to do this. Actual retail stores overwhelm us all, plus we love the thrill of the hunt. We first went to Big (gifts of grace).

I found these two wonderful smelling, never used candles and this table runner. The candles were $2 and the runner was $3. I always like to know what people pay for things. I’m nosy like that.

Next we went to Goodwill. They are right by each other and right around the corner from our house.

I found this cute shirt that I’m sure I’ll be wearing quite a bit. It was only $4.99

Jackson was finished shopping for the day so we dropped him at the house and Hannah and I went to relish (born again thrift). We have nicknames for the different shops. This one has always smelled like relish to us. They must have changed the Scentsy scent because this time it smelled like caramel.

I found this taped up case with some cool charms and beads. I needed some beads for a project and this was only $2.

I’m always needing this sized frame. The two of them were 50 cents each. I loved this vera Bradley pattern and needed a new wallet. It’s in excellent condition and was only $3.

We found this cute backpack for Hannah. It was only $10 and it”s in like new condition. She did get a few more things at the other shops, but I really only post what I get because they like to keep their stuff private. I just need to wipe this down before I give it back to her.

All in all it was a good day. It even rained and stayed cool-ish. I will take any break from the heat in August.

Day #48 – Grocery Haul (Aldi Editon)

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Last night I made a grocery list of everything I will need for my recipes for the next 10 days. I will always shop at Aldi first because they have the best prices for most items. When I checked out my total was $216 which is much higher than normal, but recalculating I actually have enough for 12 dinners, plus breakfasts and lunches. I also went way earlier than I normally do (10 am) and there was hardly anyone in the store. I’m always nosy about what people buy so I thought I’d share what my family uses.

I use the sausage patties for Jackson’s Bobs (breakfast on a bun). Both kids like making the chicken fries in the air fryer so that’s an easy lunch for them. I normally don’t buy tater tots or hash browns, but I need them for 2 recipes.

I only needed 1 large pack of chicken and a smaller one, but the smaller one was way more expensive per pound so I’ll have 2 more meals and that’s okay by me. Some people don’t like buying the rolls of ground beef, but the 80/20 from Aldi is actually really good. I’ll be using a large portion of it tonight for teriyaki meat loaf.

The kids love the hamburger pitas so I always get 2 boxes when they have them. The Angus burger patties make making burgers so much quicker and they are really good. Jackson saw a recipe for cream cheese honey burgers so we’ll give them a try.

We go through a lot of cheese. Hannah is the ham eater and she loves making wraps for a quick lunch.

We already had peppers, avocados, brussel sprouts, apples, strawberries and blueberries so I just needed a few fruits and vegetables.

I’m not a huge fan of the canned cream soup, but two of my recipes called for it so I picked some up. We are not eating the cat food, I’m not that frugal, but the kitten is still having wet food in the mornings.

I normally don’t buy bread, but I’m making more uncrustables for Jackson. We don’t go through that many corn tortillas. The chickens like them for their snack. Speaking of chickens, yes, I had to buy eggs. the chickens can’t keep up with our demand.

Of course I had to get a watermelon. I’m going to be so sad when they are out of season.

So that’s the Aldi haul. I think it was a pretty good deal for what I got. It also gives me peace of mind to know I have everything ready to go for dinners. Except, I forgot hamburger buns so I’ll probably just bake some. They taste way better anyway.

One thing I can’t get at Aldi is my laundry soap. Luckily Drug Emporium is right around the corner. Jackson and I ran up there and they also had my favorite popcorn on sale.

I am definitely shopped out now.

Day #47 – Just Another Manic Monday

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Mondays, oh Mondays. For me it means cleaning the house to start the week off right. I cleaned out the fridge and deep cleaned the kitchen, all because I cannot find the lid to one of our tea containers. Still can’t find the darn thing, but at least everything is straightened up.

While I was dusting I checked some string lights and found out that our little terror kitten had chewed through the wire so only 2 worked.

Solved that problem by just stuffing them all in the owl.

I always change our sheets on Monday and today I had the bright idea to switch our duvet cover. Who needs a gym when you have a duvet? I swear the third ring of hell is just having to put on duvet covers. I had to crawl inside it to get the corners all the way in. Now I know what an earthworm feels like. But, I got it on finally, only to realize that I had never put the new top sheet on.

You can see where I just gave up ironing it.

Because I really needed to go grocery shopping, but it was just too darn hot and I hadn’t finishing my meal planning yet we had breakfast for dinner. I don’t know why breakfast food is only “supposed” to be for breakfast. I hate eating early and I love breakfast foods.

Chili crisp on eggs is the best!

While I was cooking I was opening up a new can of Tony’s and it knocked over and spilled everywhere, including inside my Crocs. Today just really wasn’t my day.

One thing I’m super happy that I DID get done that went perfectly smooth was my meal planning. I’m going to get up early and hit the store before it gets too hot.

Day #46 – Sweet and Sour Pork Chops With Crispy Rice

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Today is Donny’s short day at work so Jackson and I decided to hit Walmart to grab some things that I only buy at Walmart. Unfortunately we didn’t realize it was tax free weekend and the last Sunday before school starts. It was a mad house!!! So basically I just recovered from that experience the rest of the day. I was excited to make the Sweet and Sour Pork chops I’ve had on my meal list for the last 2 weeks. Here’s the recipe.

Here’s the changes I made. I only had 8 thin sliced pork chops. I used sweet chili sauce, no brown sugar, half rice vinegar and half apple cider. I also 1 1/2 the recipe. I actually could have doubled the sauce. I did not simmer for as long as they said to. It was probably only about 30 minutes. They turned out so good!

I made crispy rice to go with it. I just made 1 1/2 cups of rice. (I don’t know how much that actually comes out to, but it’s 1 1/2 cups rice to 3 cups water). I let it cool and then put the rice in a big bowl and added 1 T of sesame oil, a lot of chili crisp because we love it. soy sauce (just use as much as you like). Stirred it all up and spread it out on a baking sheet. Pop it into a preheated 425 oven on the top rung for 15 minutes. After about 8 minutes give it a good shuffle and continue cooking. If it’s not as crispy as you like keep cooking in 5 minute intervals. This will definitely be one of my regular sides.

So so so so good! I also sauteed some broccoli in sesame and olive oil with a little soy sauce.

This will go into my meal rotation because everyone liked it. There’s something to be said for those 1980’s recipes, even if you have to tweak them a little bit.

These are two of the items I used. I got both at Walmart. I’ve seen the exact same chili crisp at the Asian Market, but it’s about 3 dollars more there. I eat the crisp on just about everything;

Day #45 – Best Chicken Fried Rice + Lil Helpers

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A few nights ago I made the best chicken fried rice. I made a huge batch. Hannah and I have eaten on it until now it’s gone. It’s so easy. Here’s how I made it.

In the morning make 1 1/2 cups rice. Put it in the fridge to really cool off.

When you’re ready to make dinner, cook 2 chicken breasts. I did mine in the instant pot. Then shred the chicken.

I just got a bag of mixed vegetables and cooked those and set them aside.

In a very large skillet or wok, heat some oil with a splash of sesame oil. Add a chopped onion and cook until transparent. Add the mixed veggies and cook for a little bit. Scoot all that over to the side and add 2 scrambled eggs. When those are cooked mix it all together.

Add the chicken and the rice and cook until the rice is a little browned. Add soy sauce. What makes it so good also is to add yum yum sauce once you’ve plated it. I’m going to make it again this week it was that good.

I manage to get all of the laundry done. I do not like putting mine and Donny’s laundry away when the drawers aren’t neat so I decided to go ahead and redo our drawers. I got some help with that.

Unfortunately they weren’t that big of a help, but it feels so much better to have everything where it needs to be. I still use the Marie Kondo folding system.

While I was doing laundry I almost had a heart attack because the neighbors dog came running up. I put him back in their backyard and tonight he got out again. He looks just like a coyote. I can’t tell you how many times I thought that’s what he was. He’s so sweet though and doesn’t even bother the cats at all.

I wish I could have gotten a better picture, but he’s still a puppy and hyper.

Day #44 – Sick With the King

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I woke up sick. I think it could have been the chili I ate last night because just the thought of it makes me feel nauseous. I stayed in bed most of the day and was finally hungry around 7:30. Donny went and picked up Rotolo’s which has my very favorite cauliflower crust pizza. I always get the Popeye.

Hannah and I decided to pile in my bed and start the new season of King of the Hill. It has always been one of our favorite shows and the new season is so good. If you liked the original, you’ll like the newest. It’s on Hulu.

Hannah and I both agree that Dale is our favorite character.

Day #43 – So Much Easier

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Today was a run around get stuff done. Donny and I ran to the feed store to pick up some feed for the chickens. Then we had to hit Home Depot for sand also for the chickens. I made the kids appointments to get their meningitis vaccines for school. Next we took Jackson and drove up to Kilgore to turn in his transcript. Hannah’s appointment for her vaccine was today so we went to the doctor and that took a long time because her knee was bothering her and the doctor wanted to check it out. Of course, we can’t leave out grocery shopping on our way home. We are going to completely blow the food budget this month because we were all hungry when we were shopping and I had no list because we were only supposed to be picking up a few things. Oops.

But, the very best thing that happened to day was I bought this beauty.

Y’all I finally pulled the trigger and got a weed eater that I can actually use. It feels like Christmas. After dinner I just had to go try it out. First around the pool gardens.

Then around the patio.

And finally around the garden.

I’m still getting the hang of it, but it’s going to make doing the yard so much faster and easier considering I was doing all of this by hand.

I also picked this spray up at the feed store. We have aphids so bad and I’ve already caught them on my pumpkin sprouts.

I didn’t want actual poison, so fingers crossed this works. My poor pumpkins are trying their best to grow.

But the hydrangeas that were rapidly dying in the pot I had them in are getting new growth like crazy now that they are in the ground.

We will see.

Day #42 – Stick ’em Up

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I was on the phone so much today. It wasn’t even with our Internet provider because that was finally taken care of. We have someone we care about going through a difficult time and we have no answers as of my writing this. Waiting is not my virtue so I tried to keep myself busy.

The clay molds I made the other day we just sitting in the pan so I decided they needed to be used.

I put the stars and moons on the window.

I added these to the planters. Just something fun that makes me happy.

I’ve started watching the Katrina documentary on Hulu. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. It’s such a good series and I highly recommend it. Except, Cindy, if you read this you probably shouldn’t watch it. It will bring back too many memories of our flood. SO many things are similar. I can’t believe that in a week it will be 9 years since we went through it. Some days it seems like only a few years have passed and other times it seems like a surreal fever dream.