Snack Mix

This is our favorite snack mix. I like to make this at Christmas time and give as gifts, but it can be made anytime.

Honey Glazed Snack Mix

4 Cups Rice or Corn chex cereal
1-1/2 Cups miniature pretzels
1 Cup pecan halves
1/3 Cup butter or margarine
1/4 Cup honey
In a large mixing bowl, combine cereal, pretzels and pecans; set aside. Melt butter in a small saucepan; stir in honey and blend well. Pour over cereal mixture and stir to coat evenly. Spread in a jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until mixture is lightly glazed, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and cool slightly. Spread on waxed paper to cool completely. Yeild: about 6-1/2 Cups

This snack mix does not last long around our house.

My Weekness

I have a weekness, well actually 2. I love to read when I have time. Magazines and cookbooks are my 2 weeknesses. They both are expensive. I get a few magazines thru the mail, but had to let some of them go. I also am a collector of cookbooks. I don't like to pay full price for them, but I have a few times. I will look for cookbooks at thrift stores and yard sales. I have alot of cookbooks right now. I especially like the ones from Churches and also Amish cookbooks. I will read a cookbook like a person reads a novel. I just need a place to store my cookbooks, because I have alot of them stored in a box right now. I guess I will continue to look for cookbooks at the thrifts stores.

Cooking from Scratch

Cooking form scratch is something I don't do, like I should. Even though I am a SAHM I usually cook something that's pre-packaged. I babysit for 2 little girls during the day and alot of times don't have time to cook from scratch. I know all that processed food is not all that good for you. Cooking from scratch is another area I am working on. I have mad a few things from scratch. There is one thing I would like to make from scratch is a cake for our daughter's birthday, which is months away right now. Someone told me it's easier to just buy a cake that's already made, because buying all the ingredients would cost me alot. Yes a cake already made may be pretty, but a cake from scratch would taste alot better. I have those store bought cakes and sometimes the frosting would be too sweet. I may not be the best at frosting a cake, but you are going to eat it anyway. Cooking from scratch does not have to be expensive, because you can use coupons on the products you need when you make a list of what you need. OH there's that word again LIST, something I need to learn to do. Using coupons would help even on those items you need especially when they are on sale. Ok I am not an expert here just learning as I go. Here are 2 recipes I have made for my family which they really like.

This one does not have a name, but here's what you need.
1 lb. beef stew meet
1 Can cream of mushroom soup
1 Can onion soup
Put all of that in a crockpot and let it cook on slow about 6 to 8 hours.
Then have it with rice or noodles.


Crustless Bacon Quiche
8 Strips bacon (diced)
1-1/2 Cup milk
1 Cup shredded cheese (cheddar, grated)
3 eggs
1/2 Cup bisquick
Dash pepper
Fry bacon crisp; drain. Combine eggs, milk, bisquick and peppers: blend 15 seconds. Pour mixture in 9-in. glass pie plate. Sprinkle cheese and bacon over top. gently press below surface. Bake 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Tuesday is shopping day

Tuesday is my grocery shopping day and sometimes I get discouraged, because of the high prices. Some weeks I have a lot of coupons and others I only have a few. I try to buy the store brand products when I can and also check out the clearance shelf. There will be weeks when I find good items on the clearance shelf and sometimes it's only 1 or 2 things. The thing about the clearance shelf is the cans are bent, which does not bother me as long as the date on the can is still good. Today I found little packets of hot apple cider which was 30 cents a piece which our daughter likes those. There are few things I will not buy much of and that's cereal and chips, because they are really high in price. I like to buy fruit at the farmers market, because it's cheaper there. The one thing I do not do before I go grocery shopping is make a list, ok I know Shame On Me. I need to do better.
Today I went to the thrift store to see if I could find a glass loaf pan to make bread, but they did not have anything like that today. I did though find some cloth napkins to use. I don't like to pay full price for those, since I know how expensive they can be for a set. I believe I have plenty right now. Still will continue on this journey to the frugal life.

Hi! My name is Karen. I am a wife and stay-at-home-mom. I wanted to start a blog about frugality. Actually this is a journey to being frugal. We do a few things now that are frugal, but have a long way to go. I know this day and time we need to save all we can. Also need to reuse and recycle. I also use coupons as much as I can. I know some days I will make mistakes trying new things, but will learn on this journey.

I will start with one thing we have started doing. We have stopped using papertowels and now use cloth napkins when we eat. Also use rags and sponges when we clean.

I will share more as I go along. Hopefully meet others that will give me ideas along the way.
Have a great day.