Vacation...and why it's swell to have little kids that don't have school schedules to keep

We are busy enjoying the last week of summer...even if our "last week of summer" extends past the expected Labor Day finality of the season.

I'll have lots of pictures and recipes to share next week of not-so-frugal vacation food and fun things we see! See y'all then.

Publix Bargain Meal September 3

I have no pictures of last night's meal, because of a dead camera battery. Nonetheless, it was an excellent meal, picture or not. Definitely a keeper for us! Because I'm a bit obsessive that way, this is another recipe out of Everyday Food's September issue. I'm telling y'all, when a magazine has a good issue, it really has a good issue! This is a much cheaper meal for us, because we have tomatillos and jalapenos growing in our garden (both of which are easy to grow, according to my sweet tomato king...try them next year!).

The real recipe for this meal involves a whole chicken, simmered in the sauce. I have no doubts that this would be an excellent way to eat this dish. But... my mom and I took my boys to a bounce house for the morning/early afternoon, and we didn't get home until late. By the time everything settled down to cook supper, fast was the name of the game! And, this came together very quickly. So, an adaptation it is. On the plus side, the adaptation is less meat, more vegetables, which is how we like it. So, it's all good.

Tomatillo Chicken
adapted from Everyday Food, September 2009

1 bone-in chicken breast--on sale $1.69/lb--$1.50
2 pounds tomatillos, husked removed--approx $1/lb--$2 (could use purchased puree instead--it comes in little cans in the Latino section)
salt and pepper
2 jalapenos, chopped (mine were hot, so I seeded them)--$0.10
1 medium onion, chopped--$0.28
garlic powder to taste (out of the real stuff)
1 can hominy, drained--$0.59
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro--about 1/4 of a bunch--$0.20

Bake chicken breast at 400 until it registers 165 degrees, about 40 minutes. Let cool; remove from bone and shred chicken.

Puree tomatillos in a food processor; set aside. Heat oil in a large pot. Add jalapenos and onion and cook, stirring frequently, until slightly softened. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir in tomatillo puree and hominy. Simmer until tomatillos are cooked and change color slightly from bright green to a duller green, about 20 minutes. Add in shredded chicken and let warm through. Stir in cilantro. Correct seasonings with salt and pepper.

Total cost--$4.67

Serve with:
white rice--$0.25
sour cream--on sale $1.25/16 ounces--$0.31
cornbread--$0.50

Total cost for this meal--$5.73

As always, check out $5 dinners for many more variations on what's on sale at your local store!

A little tomato love

Yesterday, I was able to give my mom some tomatoes from our garden. After many, many moons of receiving her beautiful, tasty produce, it was good to give her a bit, too.

Tomatoes are one thing that makes my life feel hugely bountiful. This time of year there are just so many of them! I love glancing over and knowing that I can cook absolutely any tomato dish I desire, and I have everything I need. It's a wonderful feeling of excess.

As is this blog I stumbled upon this week. I'm not sure if I could feel so joyful in the face of an incredibly hard budget. But, Emily is making it happen at Under $1000 a month. Check her out!

My sweet firstborn

Three years ago, in the middle of the night, I walked into a local hospital not realizing how my life would change. And how very quickly that change would occur. Two days later, we were headed home with this very sweet, very cuddly, very squishy little baby.

These days, that little baby has grown into a big boy who loves to be our helper. He loves to push around his little brother. And sometimes in their toy car.

He loves the special privilege of eating lunch in the living room occasionally.

Mama, can we watch Mighty Machines and eat lunch?? Pwease??

And, mostly, he's full of life and zest. He keeps me on my toes, he loves me like no one else, and I adore that little boy.

Last night, we heard him singing...

Me so happy, so very happy
Me got the love of Jesus in my heart

Nothing more I could ask for.
I love you Will! Happy 3rd birthday!