Thankful Days 3 & 4

I have been off the computer for the last few days, so I missed posting for day 3 & 4. Day 3 I am thankful for friends who help enable my stockpiling / canning / cooking from scratch habit. I was out running errands on Saturday when I got a call from a friend who was another friend's house. They wanted to know if I wanted some big pumpkins that were left over from Halloween that were not carved. They figured I could use them to make my own puree - which I gladly accepted. I even got them delivered to me! So my to-do list tomorrow includes getting those cut up , baked and pureed so that I can still have pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread in July! Day 4 Both my boys had upset tummies last night and in the process created some messes and a few extra loads of laundry. So today I am thankful for a working washer, dryer and solar clothes dryer at my disposal so that I can be sure that my boys have clean bedding to sleep on tonight. What are you thankful for today?

"Mom! There is nothing to eat, only ingredients."

My son, the Mad Scientist, is known for scavenging in the pantry and saying those exact words. If I had a nickel for every time I heard that phrase, I could buy a lot more groceries!
Our budget is having a rough week. We had some unexpected car repairs that ate into our budget. Both cars have needed work over the past two weeks and wiped out our "emergency fund". Thank goodness we had some money set aside, but we are going to have to tighten our belts for the next few weeks to get by with no wiggle room.
That means it is time for Mom - that's me - to get creative and use what we have in our pantry and freezers.

I will post our menu plan as well as some recipes over the next few days.

Would you like to join me and plan a menu for your family?