French Onion Soup

I have found a great french onion soup recipe that I think solves my problems for going out and paying $$$ for it in a restaurant.

And it's done in a crockpot :)

I didn't come up with the recipe. It's from Taste of Home, my favorite recipes which have never let me down.

French Onion Soup

1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced (about 4 cups) - I used Vadalia Onions
1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 cans (14 1/2 oz. each) beef broth- I used beef stock
2 T sherry or additional beef broth - I used Sherry cooking wine
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 slices French bread
4 slices provolone cheese


1- Place onion and butter in a 1 1/2 qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or union onion is tender. Stir in the broth, sherry and pepper. Cover and cook 2-3 hours longer or until heated through.

2- Ladle soup into oven proof bowls. Top each with a slice of toast and cheese. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings

Frugality

It's evident that our family doesn't win with the Monopoly Contest at McDonald's except for those horrible fries (only good when seering hot and and untouchable) or the disgusting fruit smoothies that I can make better at home for half the fat. But so far, no $5000 gift cards for Walmart that would do great for our food and basic needs for quite a while.

And then there's the fact that our savings is gone. And then O'Malley decided this week going out and dealing with it like a man ended him up in the "hospital". And then there is of course, the unexpected expenses of having the furnace cleaned and checked, the front door being blown open and broken off of its frame. So, one starts thinking about where the money is going to come from and soon, you realize the stuff you have been saving because, "Aunt Fiona" had it or the "find" you just had to have seems to start looking really good at seeing how much it would appraise for on the, "Antiques Roadshow". Or perhaps a yard sale sounds great on Black Friday.

I went to the grocery today and knowing I had only cash and found some items that needed returning for a credit made it do-able today on very little. I was very stressed and worried that I would have to put back things that I "really needed" and found that wasn't so as I only bought things "I really needed" with a bit left over. And I had cut down the list earlier that morning and grabbed coupons from the internet websites and the paper. I have found a couple of the magazines, one called, "All You" has coupons in every issue and is a great magazine for cheap. Great articles and such. This week in Price Chopper is double manufacturer coupons too. So today when I came home, I felt thrilled that I was able to spend very little for the week and have a bit leftover for the several gallons of milk we drink or cook with. I used to think I had to go with a big budgeted amount and couldn't carry cash as it was a control issue. It only caused guilt. Now I see many of these families who look to be struggling or look like those who use assistance and you just want to be a nosey and ask if they really need all those cases of soda, fillet mignon, or boxes of cereal.

Another thing I have noticed is, how many cleaners do you really need to clean a house? For many years, I have come conclusion that the liquid cleaners such as Lysol and Pine-sol are such a money pit. I have found Dawn dish and a green square brillo pad cleans a tub and shower stall spotless. Dawn is a great grease cutter. After scrubbing the areas with Dawn such as the bathroom or mopping the floor, I do a bleach rinse. For windex, I am going to white vinegar. It's cheap and works great. Please keep in mind, I am only stating this is what I do. There are so many other wonderful ideas out there I'm sure. But I am finding the less the better. But I have to admit, toilet cleaner is a must. Gain products for laundry are just something I don't do without. I will buy cheap sandwich bags before I give up my Gain. It's like getting cheap toilet paper (as Steven about that). But you have admit there are the generics/store brands that work just as well as the name brand and much cheaper. But then again, there are just some generic or store brands that should have been redesigned or left alone and only the name brand will do. For instance: Kraft 2% cheese. There's just no substitutes.

Not only during these tough economic times is it tough for us, but so many. My neighbor was just laid-off and I wonder if they are doing ok. They have 5 children and go to private schools. I know many whose husbands are just getting back to work and having to drive double the miles than they used to. It's times like these I'm so thankful for frugal websites, food storage, and having a husband that is one who uses the practice of using a budget and doesn't have the liberal mentality. We both grew up working for our needs from an early age and have been able to go back to those principles that were ingrained into us. And we hope those principles are rubbing off on our sons.

Now on coupons. Coupons are must to make it during these economic hard times. I know, they do take time to sort through, clip and put in your purse. Or, in your coupon caddy. I, myself, and a few other friends use a 3-ring binder that is labeled with dividers labeled: baked goods, cereals, and etc. with the baseball card holders. Then in the binder is notebook paper for the grocery list. It is a time saver and a great conversation starter. And I get a lot of looks. I didn't certainly think of it. A good friend introduced me to it. I know, you have heard of the, "coupon queens" who save hundreds of dollars per week and pay only $20 for $300 worth of food. But I am not one to just buy the product because I have a coupon for it. I found then that I came home with junk and food that I wondered why I bought it and then found it wasn't a savings at all. I would say that I save about anywhere from $3 to $10 per week. I have even saved $25 one week and it really made my day. But I found that was per luck. But still a little saved adds up. So to say the least, I know there are plenty other coupon clippers out there who know better tricks of the trade than me and I am willing to learn. And it is great if you go to more than one store. I was at Walmart today and saw a 5# bag of red potatoes for $3.27. Price Chopper this week has 5# red potatoes for $1.48. So, I know where I will be going tomorrow morning. One thing I found today was that I can get the Betty Crocker cookie pouches that only require butter and an egg for $1.58 and is quite a bit cheaper than if I had bought the chocolate chips and more brown sugar. And I'm only out a dozen cookies. Goodbye to Chips Ahoy. As for popsicles, I buy the cheapies. And the boys prefer them.

I'm open to hearing how you handle the economy in your household.

Off to comfort a cat who is traumatized by the having to wear the cone of shame and restricted from the outdoors for 2 weeks. Do cats loose their voices after 2 hours of howling to go out?

The Life of Jacob

Welcome to the world of a 3rd Grader. Jacob is loving life for the most part. He has a wonderful teacher this year. He is working very hard this year. He finds 3rd grade academically a bit challenging but for the most part doesn't have to have too much help. His favorite classes are art, computer and gym. He loves it on Wednesday because he has computer and library and I am there at library for his class.

Jacob received his Bear rank in August. In December, when he turns 10, he will become a Webelo.

Jacob still loves his Legos. He really wants to work for Lego when he is old enough. He still loves to draw, to dig in the dirt and create his own models of roads, buildings and other things to do with construction, architecture and anything with a computer. Steven and I are encouraging his interests.

Jacob is becoming more independent with cooking snacks in the microwave for himself. He loves to help others and loves the sense of accomplishment after he does service for others. He still has his mischievous, fun humor that will leave you cracking up in a moment. And he doesn't miss a trick. Jacob adores Michael and he has a great time being with him.

Michael- Officially A Teenager of 13

Michael just turned 13. He now has braces and about a year to go. He is about to go into phase 2 of his dental work. Phase 2 will be working on the bite.

Michael is having a great year with 6th grade. His counselors at school find him fun and delightful. One counselor stated he wishes there were more kids like Michael who are the happy-go-lucky, comfortable with themselves, and seemingly happy. Sixth grade is a tougher year but Michael is handling it extremely well. He is holding a solid "B" average. He is still playing the alto sax (even though he would like to quit). Michael is taking an art class after school. The art teacher is wonderful and Michael has taken really well to her. Steven and I are encouraging him to follow his interest. Michael loves drawing characters of Pokemon and other cartoon characters. He and Jacob have more Legos than they know what to do with. But they are able to build whatever they desire. Knights Kingdom and Minataurs are his big love right now with Legos.
Michael is also into computers, Wii, and anything with computers. Maybe another engineer in the making?

Michael is great with Jacob and responsible watching him when I need to step out for a bit. Michael loves little kids and is helpful. Scouting has helped Michael grow this year so much. Michael went to Scout camp this past summer for a week. He learned archery, leather work, basketry, finger printing, first aid, and environmental science. It was a hot week but with encouragement from his Dad (who is the Scoutmaster) and other leaders, he did a great job. Michael didn't complain. He learned by examples of the other boys how to manage his time better and loved being with kids his age.

Dad

Steven is being very busy between the honey do list, keeping his "girls" (bees) happy and preparing them for winter, getting his 2nd load of honey, work, church, family, and the other things that creep up. Somewhere, Steven manages to fix things during a crisis, keep me grounded during a crisis, and still have a smile on his face.

Bose is still keeping Steven employed and thankfully too. He is so busy and that is a total blessing. Steven loves his job and so it looks like we will be here and plan to go no where.

Steven also is finding he is busy tutoring a 6th grader in math and other subjects if needed. He is great with the youth at church, and has fun skunking Michael in Pokemon and Jacob at Wii.

Mom

It's been a while in writing in the blog. The garden is done. It was a bit of success. Being the first year, there are things that I will not do again next year and things that were a success that I will expand upon. I know that age is catching up on my ability to handle being in the garden. I love it but after being working the dirt and weeds, I pay for it for a few days. So, more square foot gardening next year.

It has turned cold and is now November 1st. I am happy to be inside cooking, baking and finding projects that don't cost money. As for most, money is very tight. Thank goodness for the things I have that don't take any money or if they do, very little. Cross-stitch is one of them. I really want to concentrate back to music. I haven't played the piano and violin like I really want to play. And of course, the housework is never done. Not a time to be board, that for sure.

Along with working around the house, I have been volunteering at Jacob's school in the library. I do anything from helping the other volunteers when they need it, helping the librarian when she needs, putting books away, putting books in order, crowd control, and reading to the children. I am at Jacob's library time which makes his day.