Following 31

It's mushroom time again. Jeff took Ryan and Evan out yesterday and they found a small bag full of morels. Just the blacks are up, of course. Now it's to get cold and even - gasp - snow. Boo!


In an effort to be more organized and avoid the, "What's for sup?" question and I have nothing prepared (or in the cupboards), I've begun to once again make up a week's menu plan at a time, check the grocery ads & coupons, and make a grocery list. Yesterday was my first day back at it. Shopping went fairly easy because I had everything written down and organized.

I saved $18 at Wal-Mart with coupons and pop bottle refunds (actually, most were beer cans/bottles that the boys picked up in the woods while mushroom hunting, but they are just as returnable as any others). That was good.

At Walgreens I was able to save $29 on groceries with coupons.

At Save-A-Lot, I saved ZILCH but I was a smart shopper and ended up with a car load for $75.

Shopping is tough these days and I told the cashier at Wal-Mart that when she asked how I was. She agreed with me wholeheartedly and even told me that she finds the high prices depressing.

Tonight's dinner plan consisted of:

Spinach Manicotti, Corn Muffin Casserole, & Homemade Oatmeal/Wheat Bread

Manicotti Noodles

1 c. flour
1 c. water
2 eggs
1 TBSP. canola oil

Mix all ingredients together with a whisk until smooth. Heat a greased 8 inch skillet and cook about 1/4 cup of batter at a time as you would pancakes. Transfer to another dish until all batter is used. Fill the noodles by putting a tablespoon of filling in the center of them and roll.

Corn Muffin Casserole

3/4 c. cornmeal
1 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
2 TBSP. canola oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 can creamed corn

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a 9" x 13" baking pan. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until all flour lumps are gone. Pour into greased baking dish and bake about 20-25 min. or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean and top of casserole is browned lightly.