Park Day

Remember my quest to check out all the parks in my county? We took a break for the hot months of summer (this old mama can't handle the heat during August and September), but we're back at it in full force.

This week's park is open green space in the middle of a small downtown area. There is a new playground and splash fountains to play in. It was plenty warm for the boys to have fun in the water. Not for too much longer, though. I felt the first cool morning just today!

We're on track to hopefully hit all the parks by the end of the year. My original goal of seeing them all before Labor Day was a bit ambitious. Christmas is more like it. Only 25 more to go!

Kroger Bargain Meal September 27

I delayed the Kroger meal to Tuesday, because we actually ate this last night. I had every intention of taking an awesome picture of our yummy food. And, well, life gets in the way. I had an errand to run just before supper time, and I put the meatballs in the crock pot to simmer while we were gone. And I forgot to plug it in.

So, we rushed home, I threw everything on the stove, and in 20 minutes, we had supper. Pictures were somehow forgotten.

Everyone was fed and happy, and that was more important at the moment. So, close your eyes, picture this fabulous meal, and then make it soon!

Porcupine meatballs--$3.59
Rice--1 cup uncooked--$0.20
Black eyed peas--on sale (frozen)--$0.88
Cherry tomatoes--on sale--$0.99

Total cost of this meal--$5.66

Meatballs
1 pound ground beef--on sale $1.79
1/2 cup finely diced onion--on sale 3 lbs/$1.50--$0.15
1/2 cup uncooked rice--$0.10
1/2 cup water
Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
1 large can crushed tomatoes--$1.50 (you could use on sale spaghetti sauce or tomato soup, too)
1 T worcestershire sauce--$0.05

Combine beef, onion, water, and rice and mix well. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Form into small meatballs. Brown in frying pan, then remove from pan. Add tomatoes, worcestershire sauce, and spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder) to taste. Bring to a simmer, add in meatballs, and then allow to simmer for 30 minutes until meatballs (and rice) are cooked through. Serve over rice with roasted cherry tomatoes and black eyed peas on the side.

Enjoy your $5 dinner! And, for more inspiration, as always, check out the bargain meal of the week at 5dollardinners.com!

Menu Plan Monday

Another week, another fabulous menu plan. Our garden is in the lull between summer and fall. We still have a few eggplant, lots of peppers, and some green beans. Our fall vegetables are coming right along, but not quite ready for harvest. Luckily, our local Korean grocery store has lettuce 2/$1, so lots of salads around here this week!

Friday: taco soup (would have been tacos, but I forgot to buy tortillas)

Saturday: Thai beef (lunch), salmon a la vera cruzana, tomato/basil salad, cream of onion soup with garlic parsley croutons, ice cream (supper)

Sunday: out (lunch), tortilla soup (supper)

Monday: porcupine meatballs, rice, black eyed peas, roasted cherry tomatoes, salad

Tuesday: fettucini alfredo with sauteed chicken, salad

Wednesday: hummus, baba ghanouj, tabouli, pita bread

Thursday: tomato soup with a swirl of pesto, chicken salad

Friday: "real" tacos--I promised the family!

Hot Fudge Cake

Do you ever get that need for dessert? That thought that overtakes you, and you just know that if you don't get some chocolate, bad things will happen??

That need hit this week. At 7pm. Around here, that's late. Way late. For the first 2 years of parenting, Mike traveled for business all week. After bedtime, I was stuck in the house. And I learned to like it. Somewhere along the way I started dreading having to leave the house that late at night.

So, even for chocolate, I was going to have to make do. And, this dessert came to mind. It's one of those recipes where nothing becomes something. Something oh so delicious.

Thanks to Christie over at Southern Plate for this recipe. She calls it chocolate cobbler, but I've always eaten it as hot fudge cake. She's a foreigner, from over in Alabama, so that explains that. Whatever you call it, it's really good. This is one of the smoothest and creamiest of all the recipes I have tried (and I've tried several--I love this stuff). Even Mike ate it happilly, once at night and again in his lunchbox. This cake hasn't traditionally been his favorite, so that's saying a lot.

To gild the lily, I whipped some cream. Not necessary, but shoot. If you're gonna make something from nothing, do it up right.