Frugal March chatter (Marching on with Savings) cont'd Frugal Feb....

[SimplifiedMommyTips]

I threw our budget out the window yesterday. We were found out yesterday that my MIL has less than 6 months less now that her cancer is officially terminal. We had everyone up last night to have a big chat and hug fest and we ordered in. I don't care.

Sorry to hear about your MIL, may the love of God comfort you and your family.

[jasperandchar]

I cook them first, then freeze in 20 counts. Then I just thaw and add to spaghetti sauce, VH garlic sauce whatever takes my fancy on that particular day. Sometimes I will make batches of garlic meatballs as I find there is always leftover sauce and this way I get to make numerous batches at once using the same sauce....saves $ and time in the end.

PS I also freeze the left over garlic sauce for the next time......it all adds up (lol).

Do you cook your meatballs first and then freeze them or freeze them raw?

[SimplifiedMommyTips]

so I started baking bread this morning, I was hoping to have it for breakfast, set up the timer for this morning, but apparently I did not do it right and there was no bread this morning for breakfast. I just turn it on anyways and will save it for later, however it did not come out as I was expecting. It supposed to make a 2.5 lbs bread and it just came out to be very densed but small in size, I am a trying hard baker ever. Don't know what is wrong that the dough did not rise, maybe it is the yeast, my yeast is at least two years I think that is how long I have not been baking bread, any thoughts from the experts ???

[jasperandchar]

I don't own the pressure canner it's my parents, they are only around 5 months of the year so they leave it with me to use. Otherwise I would have to purchase my own and they are very expensive.

So I went the meatball only route today, no spaghetti sauce. I got locked out of the house today so I've been in a pissy mood, so I went the easy route.

TOTAL MEATBALLS: 229

Garlic meatballs & rice is on the menu for tonights dinner.

Canning is something I would LOVE to do. Seems so expensive to get started though.

I freeze mine in those Ziploc twistable containers. Speaking of which, I need to make some this week too.

Just vaccuum sealed 5 packages of turkey, plus the stew I'll make tomorrow. That's at least 7 meals, for 6 people, from a $38 turkey. Man, I love turkey!!

[SimplifiedMommyTips]

trying very hard LOL, yes better to have little helper , newbie on training.

wow sounds like you`re on a roll and nothing better than having a helper!

[jasperandchar]

I'm not a bread maker but I would say your yeast has expired or is too old.

so I started baking bread this morning, I was hoping to have it for breakfast, set up the timer for this morning, but apparently I did not do it right and there was no bread this morning for breakfast. I just turn it on anyways and will save it for later, however it did not come out as I was expecting. It supposed to make a 2.5 lbs bread and it just came out to be very densed but small in size, I am a trying hard baker ever. Don't know what is wrong that the dough did not rise, maybe it is the yeast, my yeast is at least two years I think that is how long I have not been baking bread, any thoughts from the experts ???

[jasperandchar]

So tomorrow I will be making turkey soup "SEEMS TO BE THE THEME THESE DAYS ON THIS THREAD" lol for dh's turn in the work soup club. I have to make enough for 14 bowls/people, I'm hoping to have leftovers but I'm not sure there will be any as I am hoping to serve soup & bread tomorrow for supper and send enough for the "SOUP CLUB".

Does anyone else participate in a club at work (coffee, soup, etc)? I think it's a great idea & saves $ in the long run.

When I worked at HC (Health Canada) I was in the coffee club.

[macw1960]

This is live right now.

https://www.facebook.com/LiberteCan#...31085883639259

45,000 free* yogurt coupons until March 10, 2013

[jasperandchar]

So I'm thinking ahead to next week, my mom wants to come over during March Break for a day or so,

SO I am THINKING that I could use the extra hands and will get her to help me do some canning, I'm sure she won't mind me putting her to work while the boys are busy doing their thing. My mom likes canning so it won't be a problem.

1. Deer Meat
2. Spaghetti sauce
3. Turkey soup (lol)

[jasperandchar]

thanks for posting macw1960!

This is live right now.

https://www.facebook.com/LiberteCan#...31085883639259

45,000 free* yogurt coupons until March 10, 2013

[SassyAshley]

It could be your yeast or it also could be the order in which the ingredients were put in the bread machine. If they are put in, in the wrong order it may deactivate your yeast especially if you set it on the timer so the ingredients were sitting in the bread machine over night. I have never used the timer feature on my bread machine as I usually make it to go with dinner.

I love my bread machine I just do not have the patients to make bread any other way.

so I started baking bread this morning, I was hoping to have it for breakfast, set up the timer for this morning, but apparently I did not do it right and there was no bread this morning for breakfast. I just turn it on anyways and will save it for later, however it did not come out as I was expecting. It supposed to make a 2.5 lbs bread and it just came out to be very densed but small in size, I am a trying hard baker ever. Don't know what is wrong that the dough did not rise, maybe it is the yeast, my yeast is at least two years I think that is how long I have not been baking bread, any thoughts from the experts ???

[jasperandchar]

Does anyone hang their clothes inside the house in the winter or outside?

I do both

[Insane]

so I started baking bread this morning, I was hoping to have it for breakfast, set up the timer for this morning, but apparently I did not do it right and there was no bread this morning for breakfast. I just turn it on anyways and will save it for later, however it did not come out as I was expecting. It supposed to make a 2.5 lbs bread and it just came out to be very densed but small in size, I am a trying hard baker ever. Don't know what is wrong that the dough did not rise, maybe it is the yeast, my yeast is at least two years I think that is how long I have not been baking bread, any thoughts from the experts ???

I make my bread by hand now. I love it. It's a lot of fun and theurapetic to knead that dough! It doesn't take much time. Just lots of down time. I use this recipe....
http://myhealthygreenfamily.com/blog...es-like-white/

Proof your yeast. Then you'll know if it's still good. Dissolve about 1 1/2 tsp of yeast in about a 1/4 cup of warm water (warm, not hot, that'll kill your yeast). Add about a tsp of sugar or honey. Swirl it a bit with your finger. Let it sit. It should start foaming and bubbling after 10-15ish minutes. If it doesn't your yeast is dead.

[Insane]

I don't own the pressure canner it's my parents, they are only around 5 months of the year so they leave it with me to use. Otherwise I would have to purchase my own and they are very expensive.

So I went the meatball only route today, no spaghetti sauce. I got locked out of the house today so I've been in a pissy mood, so I went the easy route.

TOTAL MEATBALLS: 229

Garlic meatballs & rice is on the menu for tonights dinner.

Share your recipe!! I have yet to find a recipe the kids like as much as store bought ones.

[jasperandchar]

No recipe, just straight ground beef rolled into balls and then thrown into whatever you choose.

Tonights case is meatballs in garlic VH sauce.