Seeds of Love 2011 : Planning

Every Spring since we've been married Collin and I have taken on a gardening project of some kind. This year is no exception.

One of the things we looked for in a new house last year during our search was a large yard. Mostly for Early Girl to have space to run, but also so that we could have a garden again. Watching plants grow is satisfying for us beyond the eventual harvest. We fully enjoy the dirt in our hands, the sun on our shoulders. Taking time each evening after work to say hello, tidy up, and give the earth a drink while we wind-down from our day. This time of year is sweet and always gets me looking forward to the summer days of grilling on the patio with friends, sharing the beautiful space we've grown to enjoy.

Good thing we both have green thumbs!

On the list for this year's garden are:

Sungold cherry tomatoes
'4th of July' early tomatoes
'Brandywine Pink' heirloom tomatoes
salsa hot peppers
Poblano peppers
'Chinese Giant' bell peppers
snow peas
lima beans
carrots
scallions
white cucumber

We're not sure what will do well in our yard but we're happy to find out and give these a shot. We've grown tomatoes and peppers before but most of the stuff on the list is new to us. Our yard has bright shade throughout the day and direct sunlight in the earlier morning hours when it's still cool. In hot, swampy Florida I think this is a good thing. Soon enough, we'll find out if the plants agree.

This year, we're constructing two raised bed frames and using square-foot-gardening techniques. All new to us! I checked out Mel Bartholomew's book, (All New) Square Foot Gardening at the library a few weeks ago and have been absorbing the information and making a list of supplies. I'm off to purchase them this afternoon so that first thing tomorrow morning, we can get started.

We ordered our live plants and seeds from Burpee.com this year for the first time. The seeds have already arrived, and the live plants will ship at the end of March for the perfect planting time according to our zone (which is 8b). Goals for the weekend include building the boxes, mixing the soil components, constructing the trellises, planting the seeds we have, and spiffing up the patio some. Since moving in we've concentrated mostly on the interior and now that Spring has sprung, we're so ready to get outside!

Twenty Eleven

source

It's a new Year.

Time is flying.
This is my most frequent complaint. This way that my perception of time continues to increase in speed over time.
I don't think there's any way to keep it from happening. But, I can continue to enjoy all those minutes like I have been recently. Here's a photo post to say "What's up?".

This is Jobin. He's called Baby right now but he will be coming home with me after the holidays to live at his new warm forever home. He's one of the five lab cats we have been fostering for the past few years at work. With an impending move coming early next year, we're all slowly taking these guys home. Jobin was the first who came to hang out with us, and he's awesome.

Monthly Meals : Double Edition (November and December)

I never did get around to posting the November monthly meal plan did I?
Woops.

I will summarize:
Pork Tenderloin with Squash Ricotta Lasagna, Tilapia with Lemon Cream Linguine, Cubans with Lentils and Rice, Pepperoni calzones and Italian Salad, Pork Lo Mein, Chicken Parmesan subs with Spaghetti, Hot Dogs and Southern Mac and Cheese, Steak and Barley Risotto, Ham and Cheese Biscuits with Potato Hash, Parmesan Tilapia with Pesto Roast Potatoes, Asian Steak with Sticky Rice and Snap Peas, Jambalaya with Garlic Biscuits, Grilled Black Bean sammies with Sweet Potato Fries, Bacon Pesto Chicken with Creamy Rice, Chicken Tacos and Spicy Rice, Thanksgiving Mushroom Dressing, Apple Cranberry Cookies, Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes, Stuffed Mushrooms, Pumpkin Cream Pie.

Next month I'll be carrying over a few meals as usual.
On the menu...

Weekly Shopping : 10/28-11/3

Another week with plenty of great deals for donations! Whole wheat pasta was a money-maker this week and I got great deals on whole wheat pasta, Kraft sandwich shop mayo, and Rotel tomatoes that all went to the Bread of the Mighty food bank here in North Central Florida. I purchased a nice big cart full of food for ourselves too and considered it the start of our November shopping. I also considered a quick trip to the store last week (that I didn't write up - sorry!) part of November, too. I'm flexible like that. The sales were suited for our family this week all around and after two trips to Publix, I still had to pop in to Albertsons to take advantage of a B1G2 tilapia deal, inexpensive boneless chicken breast, and a couple of Collin's quick guilty pleasureTotino's pizzas. I don't think the Kraft cheese was the best price I've ever gotten, but I haven't had to buy cheese for months since it was going for almost free. I can't say when Cooking with Kraft will have more coupons available that will match with manufacturer's coupons so I had to just go for it. As long as I'm getting a better deal than full price, I'm a happy shopper! Same goes for the Aluminum foil I purchased on my
first trip - the coupons were expiring Sunday so I was glad to pay full price with a coupon for something I was completely out of at the house.

At Publix this week, I spent $75.45 and saved a total of $141.17. That's about 65%!

Weekly Shopping : 10/14 - 10/20

Not a big week of shopping I thought - and then I went and bought a billion pounds of dog food. Okay, not a billion. But nine bags. Nine. We have one dog, but there has been a $2 off Beneful dog food coupon that I printed like a mad woman because that is Early's favorite food. She loves the big chunky pieces and the variety of flavors they have. Picky girl gets bored with her food easily so I grabbed a few big bags that were on sale and then just went for it and purchased the small bags with the other coupons. If we had a garage you can bet my trunk would have been loaded down with the large bags on sale but there just isn't space.
Not that dog food is in the grocery budget...
We grabbed a number of things that weren't on sale this week because we felt like it. It's fun sometimes.
I was also able to donate pasta this week after receiving an email coupon from Mueller's with a $1/2 coupon inside. Thanks!

At Publix this week, I spent $41.80 and saved a total of $65.26. That's about 61%!

10 boxes Mueller's Pasta bogo $1.29
-5, $1/2 MF
=$0.15 each!
Mushrooms $1.50
3.1lb Butternut Squash at $0.99/lb
-1, $1/1 Target
 =$2.07
6 Publix 2L sodas at $2/1
=$0.50 each
0.81lb Tomato at $1.49/lb
2 Fresh Express bagged salad belnds bogo $3.69
-2, $0.55/1 MF
=$1.30 each
5lb baking potatoes $2.69
-1, $1/1 Target
=$0.34/lb!
1 package Publix sliced Provalone Cheese $1.99
5 packages 3oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese at $1.09
-5, $0.75/1 Publix
-1, $5/5 MF
=$3.30 overage!
32 oz Yoplait Plain Yogurt at $2/4
-1, $0.75/1 MF
=$1.25
4 Nissen Noodle Bowls bogo $0.89
=$0.45 each
Croutons $1.49
1 package Publix Deli Sliced Pepperoni $4.89
2 Green Giant stemers vegetable bags bogo $2.39
-2, $0.50/1 MF
=$0.68 each
4 Fruit Roll-Ups bogo $2.73
-2, $1/2 MF
=$1.73 each
2 bags Butterfinger Halloween Candy bogo $5.99
-1, $2/1 MF
2 cartons Smart Balance Milk at $2/5
-2, $2/1 MF
=$1 a gallon!
1 quart Publix Whipping Cream at 2/$7
=$3.50
1/2 gallon Simply Orange Juice $3.99
-1, $1/1 MF
=$2.99
(I wish I'd gone to the store after seeing the unadvertised heads-up on the smaller size going on sale for $1 this coming sale!)

and the dog food...
7 bags 3.5 lb Beneful at $5.49
-7, $2 MF
=24.43 (38.43 regularly)
2 bags 15.5 lb Beneful at $13.99
-2, $2/1 MF
=23.98 (27.98 regularly)
This comes out to the equivalent of paying $0.87/lb

For Groceries
Total Before Coupons $70.65 (w/tax and sale prices)
Total After Coupons $41.80
Total Savings $65.26

I saved about 61%
I donated $8.23 in groceries for 1.62!

Thanks again to Michelle over at I Heart Publix for matching my weekly sales ad with the coupons (and for constantly posting even more coupons as they pop up all over the internet). I couldn't do it without her! These sales are over but make sure to check out next week's ad sneak peek to get your coupons ready for the sale.

Weekly Shopping: 10/7 - 10/13

This past week at Publix was wonderful for donations! Most of my shopping the sales actually went to the Bread of the Mighty food bank here in town while I grabbed a bunch of non-toxic cleaning products and ingredients for some upcoming meals we have planned. I also used my rain check for an additional Pledge Grab-it cloths because they are finally back in stock after the clean out all the stores experienced thanks to the fantastic sale price (they were free!).
Collin's dad was in town over the weekend to come to the Gator game and on Sunday woke up and felt like taking us on a shopping spree to Sams Club. Amazing. I probably won't ever be a member (mostly because we always know someone else who is and can work something out with them to hitch a ride on their card once in a while) but I love the prices on some of their products that we will definitely use up but will last a long time. So much though, we just can't buy because we'll never use as much as you get before it would go bad. There are just two of us, and we like to entertain, but so often I was finding products I could get (and have) for a better price at Publix with coupons and sales. We stocked up on meats, 25 lbs of bread flour, snacks, and some indulgences like a giant block of parmesan cheese and a great big jar of prepared pesto. Yum! Can't wait to invite friends over to grill!

At Publix this week, I spent $28.44 and saved a total of $70.36. That's about 72%!

8 boxes Ronzoni Pasta bogo $1.39
-8, $0.55/1 MF
=$0.15 each!
Sliced Portabella mushrooms $1.69
1.29lb sweet onions at $1.40/lb
=$1.81
6 Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing bogo 3.69
-6, $2/1 MF
=$0.31 overage, $1.86 total
6 Martha Stewart cleaning products bogo $3.99
-2, B2G1 Publix
-1, $1/1 MF
=$0.50 each!
2 Totino's frozen pizzas at $1
1 head iceberg lettuce $1.69
 Sorrento mozzarella and ricotta cheeses at 2/$6
-1, $1/2 MF
-2, $1/1 Publix
 =$1.50 each
2 dozen large eggs $1.39 each
-1, B1G1 eggs MF
=$0.70 each
2 Pledge Grab-it dusting cloths bogo $3.99
-1, $2/2 Publix
-1, $2/2 MF
=FREE
2 bags Kettle chips at $3.29
4 bakery french hamburger rolls, $1.65

Total Before Coupons $80.61 (w/tax and sale prices)
Total After Coupons $28.44
Total Savings $70.36

I saved about 72%
I donated $33.26 in groceries and made $0.70 back!

Thanks again to Michelle over at I Heart Publix for matching my weekly sales ad with the coupons (and for constantly posting even more coupons as they pop up all over the internet). I couldn't do it without her! See the current sale matchup here and make sure to check out next week's ad sneak peek to get your coupons ready for the sale.