feeding my family (for $5)

Earlier this week, I challenged my readers on SITS to a contest, here.

Do you think you could feed a family of four for about $5 or less? I've done it, and I do it a lot. I have about a dozen or so penny pinching recipes that I pull out of my back pocket multiple times a month. So, in lieu of the Dinner on a Dime contest, I thought I would post my most favorite recipe for you! Beef and Broccoli noodle bowl. Here is how my estimations break down.

.

Fettuccine noodles: $1 for 1 package

.

Stir Fry Beef: $2.68 for .84 lb at #3.19 per pound.

.

Carrots: 2 for $0.25 (out of a $0.75 cent package)

.

Broccoli: 1/2 lb for $0.75

.

Hoisin sauce: 2 Tablespoons for $0.25 out of a jar for $2.50

.

Italian dressing: 1/2 Cup for $0.25 cents out of a bottle for $1.

.

Total cost: $5.18

...

Chop your veggies into bite size pieces. Meanwhile, heat enough water in a large pot to cook your fettuccine. In a large frying pan stir fry your beef until browned, and then remove from heat. When your water comes up to a rapid boil, add your fettuccine. Cook half way, and then add the veggies. Boil until pasta is al dente' and veggies are crisp tender. Drain pasta and veggies in a colander and add them to the beef. Return to heat. Add Hoisin sauce and Italian dressing. Stir well, coating the noodles and veggies. Serve and enjoy!

i wish i was a cheerleader.

I vividly remember practicing cheers at the end of 8th grade with my best friend Michelle in front of the middle school parking lot-- waiting for our parents to pick us up for the day-- trying to think that I might have a chance at becoming a cheerleader once I hit high school. Ah, sweet naivety. I never did have the cajones to try out... letting all of those sweet high kicks and mock splits go to waste. I think 9th grade was the year I discovered that I was clumsy, and then my cheerleader dreams slowly faded with the onset of my new found awkwardness!

.

I just wanted to shake the pom poms anyway. I've always loved pom poms. So, when a fleeting daydream brought a little inspiration, and inspiration brought a little research... I figured out how to make the most amazing over sized pom poms.

.

Can you guess what they are made out of?

Well, my little bit of inspiration and research lead me to the thrift store... where I picked up:

And, this comes right after I got rid of all of my old clothes before our big move! Darn it! Next time, next time I have a plan for you old shirts of mine!

.

Are you ready?

First, you will need a piece of cardboard. HA! Lucky me, I still have a moving box or two stashed away in the garage. I used a number 10 can for the first big circle, and my camera lens cap for the middle. But, you can use ANYTHING! And then, cut. Okay, after you cut your cardboard, cut your shirt into 1/2 to 1 inch strips. Then:

Here is the fun part!

Every time you finish wrapping a strip, start the next strip at the top of the cardboard for ultimate fluffiness!

Okay, do you have dexterous fingers, because you have to wrap three times! I just put on some music and sang along!

Get your sharp scissors, and cut the edge... be careful not to let the pieces fall apart. It helps if you put your other hand on top to hold it down. I was doing this, but I had to let go to use my hand to take the photo... silly. Also, trust your Little Momma when she says to be careful with scissors! I pretty much took my pretty little thumb print completely off with the slip of the scissor blade. Yeouch!

Ohhhhh! It's looking good!

Now, remember that strip you sandwiched between the cardboard in the beginning? Tie it, really tight. You don't want those puppies slipping around. Of course you are going to do an impromptu cheer when you are done, it's a pom pom for goodness sakes!

.

Take those scary sharp scissors again and give your pom a nice:

Easy, right? I am in love! I feel like I am back in 8th grade!

I'm thinking about making a ton to decorate the house for Easter...

Every lamp needs a little pom pom bling, right?

snowy sunday and burrito babies.

Sunday morning: It wasn't just a few flakes... it was: Do you know what this means! Lots of snuggle time, and:

We've been doing burrito babies for ages! It's great for an impromptu:

Even though the boys are older, they still:

And, I can't help it:

I hope they let me roll burrito babies for years to come!

.

Are you up for a challenge?! click here!

cradled in my tortilla.

I really love Martha Stewart Food magazine. Some of the recipes that I find inside each month quickly become family favorites. This one is our newest faves.

Delicious! I made mine sporting my tried and true:

My aprons really are part of my cooking routine! I love them.

.

I had never tried warming my tortillas over an open flame, but it was fantastic! It added a ton of flavor and was so easy.

Ding, DING! Hear the dinner bell? It's time to eat! Seared-Steak Fajitas

.

3/4 pound top round steak

1 T soy sauce 1/4 C plus 1 T fresh lime juice (plus fresh wedges for serving)

1 T olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

salt and pepper

1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced

1 white onion, halved and thinly sliced

8 corn tortillas

1 large tomato, chopped cilantro, for serving

...

1. In a shallow dish, combine steak, soy sauce, and 1/4 C lime juice. Refrigerate for 1 hour, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan heat 2 t oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds). Remove from heat, stir in 1 T lime juice. Set oil aside. .

2. Remove steak from marinade and season with salt and pepper. In a heavy pan, heat 1 t oil over medium. Cook steak until medium rare (about 2 minutes per side) Transfer to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.

3. Add peppers and onion to pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, until veggies are crisp tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in reserved garlic oil. Thinly slice steak and serve with veggies, tortillas, tomatoes, and cilantro.

a love for weekends.

Weekends around our house mean one thing for sure...

Weekends at our house also mean:

(until about 7am, which is late for us!)

Goodbye weekend, see you again soon! Next time, bring sunshine with you!

scouts honor.

I love my scout! He does his best. He is honest and true. He helps his mother. He makes me proud every day!

i'm kind of a {soda} jerk, sometimes.

Hear-ye! Hear-ye!

Let it be known unto all of the land...

Sometimes, I indulge my hidden passion of:

But, who can resist? I sure can't. Sometimes:

My favorite thing about Jones soda, the fortunes under the cap! Even more of a treat!