Why I usually don't shop at Albertsons

I have been to Albertsons twice recently, and both times I saved a HUGE amount, 77.43 on the first trip (spent 17.ish) on the second trip I saved 70.07 (spent 38.45). Which makes me realize that my three little bags of groceries without any of the clearance savings would have cost me over $202.00!! When I looked at what I had purchased, no way would I "waste " that much money. ( I mean, who will spend 5.00 for a little bunny shaped aluminum pan??)

I feel totally stocked up on pans for freezer meals, and I have Adam stocked up on drink mixes for work.

Now I'm off to use the clearance splurge; mini muffin pans. Now I can go make some fun muffins for the kid's breakfast. I'm thinking apple-oatmeal-cinnamon.

Apple Oatmeal Muffins

1 pkg white or yellow cake mix

1-2 c quick cooking oats

2 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t baking powder

3 eggs

1 3/4 c chopped peeled apples (I don't add these, I tried them the first time and the kids spent the whole time trying to pick out all the apples)

1 1/3 c milk

1/4 c melted butter

1/4 c applesauce (if using apples, delete applesauce and increase butter to 1/2 cup)

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. In a well in the center mix all the wet ingredients and then incorporate the wet into the dry.

Spoon into prepared muffin tins

Bake at 350

20-25 min regular muffins

9-11 min for mini muffins

By the way: If you double the recipe and make mini muffins, be prepared for slightly less than six million muffins!

Menu Plan Monday ??

I am so behind this week, I haven't figured out the menu plan for the week-

Today I did the BBQ CrockPot Pork from last weeks menu (I didn't get around to it last week)

I think tomorrow I will do the chicken and brown rice CrockPot that I didn't get to last week.

More later when I get the menu up and running!

Xander in Crayon

I have been scanning in Xander's artwork to add to his blog (if you want access, e-mail me or fill out the contact form and he will "invite" you) and I just loved this self portrait. It's funny to me because he so rarely spikes his hair, but that is how he always draws himself.

Menu Plan Monday #3

Last week I ended up changing the menu a bit, as I remembered I have so much in the freezer that I need to use (the freezer needs to be defrosted). So this week all of the dinner items start with something I have in the freezer or in the cupboards.

Adam is working on Sunday, So an easy dinner is a must for that evening.

MiMi

I finally set aside some time to take MiMi's 1 year portraits, these are a few of my favorites.