Election Night Dining

This week is election week, can you believe it? Finally after 2 years of running we are very close to having a new President.

With this in mind, I have put together some menu ideas for Election Night that could be fun if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent. So take a look and choose your favorites, but just remember to VOTE! Not only with your menu but at the ballot box as well.

McCain - Palin Voters...

Cranberry Salad (Arizona)
Chicken Enchiladas (Arizona)
Alaskan King Crab Legs (Alaska)
Corn and Chile Salsa (Arizona)
Tomatillo (Arizona)
Mexican Cornbread (Arizona)
Peach and Berries Cobbler (Arizona)

Obama - Biden Voters...

Crab Puffs (Delaware)
Carrot Soup (Delaware)
Deep Dish Pizza Squares (Illinois)
Chicken Vesuvio (Illinois)
Garden Peas (Delaware)
Fried Tomatoes with Horseradish Glaze (Illinois)
Sugar Creme Pie with Cracker Jack Topping (Illinois)


Independent Voters....

Strawberry and Blueberry Fruit Cups (For those red and blue states)
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers
Baked Beans
Potato Salad
French Fries
Sugar Cookies
Neapolitan Ice Cream

Whoever your candidate or politics, enjoy the menus and have a happy election day, but most importantly VOTE!

That is election night dining, Home Made Easy.

Five Easy Budget Savers

The economy is in the tank and we are all struggling. I have been searching for as many cost savings tactics that I can successfully implement into my own household.

Today I share 5 easy cost-savings steps that you can put into effect in your own household to help get through these difficult times. I am always searching for more, so if you have any ideas, add them down in the comments section for others.

Dump the Dry-Cleaning

Until recently I was spending 40 - 50 dollars per week on dry-cleaning. I sent all of my work clothes out to be laundered. When the economic crunch hit, this was one of the first things I cut back on. Now, I am laundering all my work clothes at home. I have started ironing while I watch television and it isn't so bad. One of my biggest worries when I started doing my own laundry was wrinkles, I love heavy starch in my shirts and can't stand wrinkles. A friend told me about a great product, Downy Wrinkle Releaser, it really works and gives the clothes a nice fresh smell as well.

Weekly Savings $40

Yearly Savings: $2,080


Save Your Change

For years I have saved change. I don't ever spend it under any circumstance, I only spend bills. At the end of the day I have a large jar I put the change in. I average at least $1.00 per day in change. During the Spring I emptied the jar because it was full, imagine my surprise when I had $1,368.49 in change saved!

Weekly Savings $7

Yearly Savings $365

Internet Coupons

We all know about coupons in the newspaper, but in today's culture one of the most important marketing tools any company has is their website. Before I go to the grocery I make my shopping list and then check out websites. Product websites often feature coupons that you won't find anywhere else, check it out, on my last visit to the grocery I had $12 in Internet coupons, I am a single person household so I don't buy as frequently as most, you can do much better than $12.

Weekly Savings $12

Yearly Savings $624

Hang It

As a child I loved the smell of sheets that had been hung out to dry on the line. I have reinstated the clothes line tradition in my own backyard. I am fortunate this time of year it is still warm in south Florida, so I can hang year round, but whenever available I highly recommend it, a clothesline is a great cost cutter and it is good for the environment as well! As in the last hint, remember I am a single person household so my cost may be lower than yours, I usually do 5 loads of laundry per week total, I know people who do that many per day, but if you save just 50 cents per load, that comes to $2.50 per week.

Weekly Savings $2.50

Yearly Savings $130

Brown Bag It

One of the best cost savings tools you can do on a day to day basis is brown bag your lunch. I have started cooking roast and turkey breast that can be extended through the week, this helps keep lunch interesting and tasty. I can't brown bag it every day, but I am doing 4 days per week, I usually spend 8 - 12 dollars per day on lunch. Over 4 days at just $8 that is $32 per week, brown bag it and eat in a nearby park, you get some exercise walking to the park and save money in the process!

Weekly Savings $32

Yearly Savings (Based on 50 Weeks) $1600

Those are some easy cost cutting tools that have a big pay-off. Any idea how much we just saved with those 5 easy tips?

$4,799!!!

And that is how you live on a budget and reap the rewards, Home Made Easy!

Simply-Sensational Trail Mix

Trail mix is a quick and easy snack that is filling enough to be a midday meal.

It is also super easy to make and have millions of combination options.

I make trail mix all the time and just keep it in the fridge for a quick snack or meal filler.

Tons of different items can be used in trail mix, I try to keep mine to 3 different products and usually decide what will be included by what is on sale.

One constant is usually raisins. Raisins are a good staple for the trail mix and goes well with whatever you are making.

This weekend when I was shopping I had trail mix on my list of shopping items. I made a quick and easy treat, all with sale items.

Raisins
Sunflower Seeds
Butterscotch Morsels

Mix 2 cups Raisins
14 oz. Sunflower Seeds
1 lb. Butterscotch Morsels

Mix and Refrigerate

Quick and easy Trail Mix, Home Made Easy

Menu Planning on a Budget

We are all being hit by the uncertainty of our economy. I know in the last few months, I have had to look at my expenses and spending in ways that I have never had to do in my life.

While costs keep going up I am looking for ways to cut my spending. I am finding that small cuts add up to big savings in the long run. These are all small changes that I am making, nothing that hurts too much, and some that actually give me a feeling of accomplishment when I am finished.

Today I am going to address food, these small changes can make a big difference of hundreds of dollars each month.

Plan Ahead.


At the beginning of the month when I am doing my budget, I allocate a weekly food allowance. I am using the envelope system for food, I give myself a dollar amount at the beginning of each week, that cash goes into an envelope marked "FOOD". This envelope can't be used for anything else.... and no additional cash may be added to it.





Using the envelope system has forced me to plan ahead when preparing for the week.

My week's schedule is never the same. Some night's it makes sense for me to plan on cooking and eating dinner at home, other times I know I will not be able to do it. Same with work, there are some days that make sense for me to take leftovers for lunch because it fits my schedule, other days I know I am going to have to run out and pick something up, it is all in the planning.

If you plan ahead with your weekly calendar, the schedule seems to work out and the more you do it, the easier it gets to make everything fit. Living alone makes it easier for me than some, I can make some meals (roast, turkey breast etc.) last all week which is a great cost saver and can be used in a variety of different ways which eliminates redundancy in choice.

Add to the envelope.




Just because you allocate yourself a certain amount of $ each week doesn't mean you can't add to it! When I am preparing my weekly shopping list I have gotten really good at checking the sales papers and couponing. I usually do my weekly shopping on Sunday, this gives me time to check the Sunday paper for coupons, check my Internet sites for special offers and check the weekly sales sheet from my grocer.

By the time I get to the grocery, I usually add 5 - 10 dollars in savings or coupons. In all honesty I used to look down on people who coupon, but let me tell you, IT WORKS! Now that I have started, I get a sense of excitement when I am able to use what I clip, the savings make a difference.


Store Brands


Buy store brands whenever possible. Now, there are some brands that I am not willing to compromise on, but most you can't tell a difference in, so try the store brand and see how you like it.


Make a List



DO NOT go to the grocery without a list.... EVER! Grocery shopping without a list is the kiss of death to saving money. Write out a list and stick to it! I realize sticking to the list is difficult, especially when you have to walk by all those great cookies and chips. So, IF AND ONLY IF, I don't have any toiletries items to purchase I allow myself $3 to spend on something special, choosing my treat is always fun and feels rewarding in the overall scheme of saving money.


Be smart about how you cook



Crock pot, grill, microwave, and toaster oven cooking is always better than using the stove. When planning your meals, work towards combination cooking, if you can grill it, GRILL IT. If you can put it in the crock pot, do it! Combination cooking saves time, saves energy and gives you more opportunities for menu variety.


This week's menu



Sunday:

Breakfast: Cereal and Toast at home

Lunch: Watermelon

Dinner: I have Bible Study at 5 and we all bring our dinner, so I will stop on the way and grab a sandwich.

Monday:

Breakfast: Cereal and Toast at home

Lunch: We had a new restaurant open on property last week and I have a free lunch card.... WOOHOO, Monday's lunch is free!

Dinner: I will have time to cook because I get home Monday without having to work late. Bottom Round Roast is on sale this week. I will put the roast in my crock pot on Monday morning before I leave for work and include carrots, potatoes, and onion.

Tuesday:

Breakfast: Cereal and Toast at home

Lunch: Leftover Roast beef, potatoes, carrots and onions

Dinner: Salad, Vegetables and Toast

Wednesday:

Breakfast: Cereal and Toast at home

Lunch: Roast Beef Sandwich with chips and cookies (I buy the individual small packs)


Dinner: I have Pilate's and my personal finance class after work, I won't get home until late, so I will pack watermelon chunks for dinner.

Thursday:

Breakfast: Cereal and toast at home

Lunch: Watermelon chunks and homemade trail mix

Dinner: I have a meeting after work and won't arrive home until after 7:30. I will eat a roast beef sandwich

Friday:

Breakfast: Cereal and toast at home

Lunch: Lunch meeting and I was the one invited, so today lunch is free!

Dinner: Vegetable Soup (I canned some vegetable soup mix over the summer, I will warm that along with the remnants of the roast beef, this will be good for the weekend.)

Saturday:


Breakfast: Watermelon

Lunch: I am working at my part time job on Saturday, which includes free lunch!

Dinner: Vegetable Soup

I hope this helps you all with your planning and gives you some cost saving tips. Over the next few posts, I will share savings tips on other household plans and hope you will send in your tips also.

The economy may be in the tank and it looks like there is no end in site, but there are always ways to save and make your life Home Made Easy!

UPDATE:

I just returned from the grocery, I bought all the items needed for the week's menu, plus TP and Paper Towels.

Total spent: $47.01

Total savings: $9.26

Woohoo, I stayed under budget and got several Buy One Get One Free Items which will go into next week as well!!!!!!!!!

The Best Banana Pudding, EVER!

I am a son of the south, growing up banana pudding was a treat. My mother used to make it for special occasions from scratch including a beautiful meringue.

Through the years I have tried several recipes for banana pudding and it just never matched what my mama used to make. That is until my Aunt sent me a recipe that her grand-daughter had found.

This is absolutely the best banana pudding I have ever eaten and it features an ingredient that I never thought would work.... Sour Creme!?!?!?!

Last week my Church had a covered dish supper for an important vote we had to take, I decided since it was a special occasion I would make the banana pudding. It was a hit! One of my Pastor's, who is pregnant, came up to me after the dinner and told me that she thanked me and her baby thanked me for the pudding, I loved that!

Ingredients:

1- 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups of water
1- small box Vanilla Instant Pudding
1- cup whipping creme
1- cup sour creme
6 - 8- Bananas
1- Box Vanilla Wafers

This recipe is NOT for your diet days, it is loaded with all the good stuff that makes eating a celebration, so enjoy!

Before you begin, put one large bowl and the beaters from your mixer in the freezer. Give them at least 30 minutes to cool.

In a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk and water, mix well and then add the pudding mix. Whisk together until there are no lumps. After this is mixed well, place in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, take the bowl and beaters out of your freezer. Pour in one cup of whipping creme, beating until it thickens. (This is the most time consuming part of the recipe, when it is beaten it will look like Cool-Whip. DO NOT over beat the creme!)

After the whipped creme is completed, fold in the sour creme. Remove the original mixture from the refrigerator and fold the two together.

Slice the bananas.

Layer the pudding, vanilla wafers and banana, making sure that the pudding ends up as your top layer.



When you have used all of the mixture, break up a few vanilla wafers and sprinkle them on top.

I served in a trifle bowl that I found at Goodwill. This is a beautiful, tasty recipe that everyone in the family will enjoy.

The Best Banana Pudding, Ever, Home Made Easy!

Re purposing an Old Table

I have a confession, I am a pack rat. I find sentiment in most everything and hate to get rid of anything that provides me with pleasant memories.

I have a couple of small end tables that I NEED to get rid of, they are old and beaten up, but they still fill a purpose. I hate to get rid of them, so I decided to re purpose them. (Ok, I only re purposed one, but I may get around to the other one sooner or later.)

A few weeks ago I was taking a few days off work for a stay-cation and was cleaning out closets. I found a box filled with old postcards, letters, notes, photos and greeting cards. When I found the box and started going through the contents I couldn't bare to get rid of the contents.

It hit me, a way to use the cards and re purpose the table.

I started off by selecting a few of the cards that visually made the biggest impact.



After choosing the cards, I cut out the impact images and created a simple layout on the table top.


After deciding on the layout, I used my Modge-Podge to apply the images. For those of you who have never used it, modge podge it SIMPLE. All you need is a sponge brush to apply it.



Using long fluid strokes, apply the modge podge to the back of your application and then over the front. This creates a nice smooth surface for your tabletop.



After the modge podge has dried, coat with a polyurethane spray and you have a re purpose for an old table featuring memories of a lifetime.



Re purposing a table and keeping your memories in tact, Home Made Easy.

Unique Wrap

Last week at the conclusion of my post on candling I mentioned that the small tin candles make great gifts, especially when presented in a unique gift wrap.

Today, we discuss the gift wrap.

One of the things I look for when visiting yard sales or rummage sales is fabric. I find that you can do a million things with fabric, one of them being using it as gift wrap.

Recently. I hit the jackpot at my Church rummage sale when a parishioner who owns an upholstery business brought in countless rolls of yardage. I bought 16 rolls of fabric, each with at least 5 yards on the roll for an unbelievable $16.

I have used fabric as wrapping paper for years, it molds to the container well and the presentation looks more exquisite than even the most beautiful paper.

When wrapping with fabric choose the cloth you will use.

Cut the fabric into swatches that will give you sufficient play when covering the gift. The cut doesn't have to be perfect, any imperfections will be hidden in the presentation.

You will need ribbon, scissors and an "ornament" for attachment. Like fabric, I buy rolls of ribbon whenever I see it. Most fabric stores or craft shops have bins of reduced ribbon on sale at all times, it is not unheard of to find rolls of ribbon for as low as ten cents to $1....I NEVER pay more than $1 for ribbon.

When you have your gift selected and the fabric cut, place your gift in the center of the fabric swatch.
When wrapping the tins, I just pulled up all the corners, tied it off with a ribbon and attached beads and buttons to provide ornamentation for my presentation.

Inexpensive, quick, easy and beautiful. Unique gift wrap, Home Made Easy.