An easy dinner

I made this tonight and the fam liked.

-cook some macaroni

-melt some velvita cheese with a bit of milk

-steam some chopped broccoli and red pepper

-add some s + p.

mix it all together and enjoy a quick and cheap meal.

I served this with some sliced cucumbers.

L.

My Grocery Budget Challenge

The Challenge is going well, although I had to change it from 350 to 400/month. It doesn't go so well when I shop at costco but great when I go to superstore. Eating one veggie meal once per week cuts down on cost too. Hmmmm, what else? Menu planning works great; I have been planning a week at a time and then shopping for only what I need.
So that is my report!! I will keep you posted.
L.

Yummy Spinach and Artichoke Dip.

• 1 C chopped Artichoke Hearts (I use canned)
• 1/2 C chopped frozen spinach, thawed
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 C fresh grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed (or more if you’re a super garlic lover)
• salt and pepper, to taste

1. Cover the spinach and artichoke hearts with just enough water to cover, boil over medium heat until tender. (roughly, 10 minutes) Drain when done.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, saute the garlic in just a hint of olive oil, when the garlic becomes a bit translucent and yummy smelling, add the cream cheese and heat until it’s hot.
3. Add the spinach artichoke mixture and the spices, mix well.

I am taking this to my Aunt's birthday.  I am serving it with those topable crackers.  

L.

"I Took His Hand and Followed"

Jackie had written out this poem in Pat's baby book and I thought it was heartwarming for us mommy's with little men....

I Took His Hand and Followed
Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,

I didn't make the bed,

I took his hand and followed

Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring,

My little son and I...

Exploring all the great outdoors

Beneath the summer sky

We waded in a crystal stream,

We wandered through a wood...

My kitchen wasn't swept today

But life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade

And now my small son knows

How Mother Bunny hides her nest,

Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young,

We climbed a sunlit hill...

Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,

We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected,

That I didn't brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth

Will know, or even care.

But that I've helped my little boy

To noble manhood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world

May look and see and know.