Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Baked Potato Wedges

Joe and I LOVE Alexia frozen french fries and onion rings, but sometimes you just run out, which is a total bummer.  These homemade baked potato wedges are a wonderful substitute, and also a good way to use up extra cheap potatoes before they go bad.  We've had them with everything from pork chops to burgers, so they really can go with just about anything, even scrambled eggs.  Besides their versatility, the are also delicious, and easy!  Here's what you need...

Desired amount of potatoes, washed and cut into wedges

Spray Olive Oil (I use a Misto Brushed Aluminum Olive Oil Sprayer)

Seasoning of your choice (Old Bay is good, Seasoned Salt, I use my own salt-free seasoning blend, or you can just use plain old salt and pepper)

1.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  After potatoes are washed and wedged, place foil on baking sheet, and spray with olive oil.  Place potato wedges on tray so they are not touching.

2.) Spray wedges with olive oil, and sprinkle with seasoning of your choice*.  

3.) Bake in preheated oven 20-30 minutes depending on the size of your wedges (I keep mine thin, so they get crispy in about 20 minutes).

4.) Serve hot from the oven with the meal of your choice.  They are good plain, or with ketchup or BBQ sauce as well.  Enjoy!

* You can also toss the wedges in a bowl with seasonings and olive oil instead of spraying and sprinkling on the tray, but I like to not have the extra bowl and utensil to wash.*

Linked to Homemade Mondays, Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-up, One Project at a Time, Thrifty Thursday, Super Saturday Link Up, and the Homestead Blog Hop!

Menu Plan Monday: 04/14/2014

Well, this is the week, if Baby Rogers doesn't make an appearance by Thursday, I'll be induced.  Because of that, I'm keeping the menu super simple, and hopefully Baby Rogers will decide to come before Thursday.  We'll just have to wait and see.  Here's what's (hopefully) cooking this week at the Rogers' house...

Breakfasts: Sweet Bread for Joe (from the freezer), Cold Cereal for Me

Lunches: Leftovers, or Sandwiches (with Chips, and Fruit)

Dinners:

Sunday - Spaghetti, Sausage, Garlic Bread

Monday - Leftover Pasta Bake, Garlic Bread, Steamed Broccoli

Tuesday - Baked Fish Fillets, Rice Cooker Mac and Cheese

Wednesday - Grilled Chicken Salad

Thursday - Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice

Friday - Out :-)

Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Extras: Ice Cream, maybe Brownies

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

40 bags in 40 days Update #5

I decided to join along in the 40 bags in 40 days challenge to help decrapify the house before baby Rogers arrives in April.  Here's how week #4 went...

Day #23: Today was another nursery working day.  I'm slowly, but surely working through my crafting stashes.  I found another box for the garbage.  So much packaging waste! - 83

Day #24: Still working through craft supplies.  More things to go.  - 37

Day #25:  Sill working my way through the nursery.  Another box of craft supplies, and just misc junk that probably didn't belong in that room to begin with. - 54

Day #26: Still working through craft supplies in the nursery.  Being 9 months pregnant, I get tired very easily, so I'm only do a drawer or so at a time.  This box of junk, although small, holds 136 pieces of ribbon, and misc embellishments that I will never use. - 136

Day #27: I decided to take a break from the crafting items and work on the nursery closet.  I found a few shirts of Joe's that were too small, so off they went. - 8

Day #28: Took the day off, and just rested and caught up my coupons before the baby is due.  I did get rid of quite a few paper/insert scraps. - 43
 

40 bags in 40 days Update #4

I decided to join along in the 40 bags in 40 days challenge to help decrapify the house before baby Rogers arrives in April.  Here's how week #4 went...

Day #17: Today I did a quick pick-up of the house before doing my weekly cleaning, and then I vacuumed the air vents throughout the house.  I also went through my craft stash and was able to get rid of another box of stuff!  - 50

Day #18:  Today I did a quick bathroom pick-up and cleaned out the kitchen cupboards.  I must be keeping up with our food supply better because there wasn't a whole lot to get rid of.  - 9

Day #19:  Today I cleaned out the hall and bedroom closet.  Needless to say, it didn't take long, since I'm pregnant, my wardrobe is pretty non-existent, and I don't really want to get rid of anything until after the baby comes, and I see what still fits and what doesn't.  I did manage to get rid of a few paper trash items from around the house though.  Here's the after of the closet... - 7

Day #20:  Today I worked on cleaning the windows, sills, and curtains.  I also worked in the nursery some more and was able to find quite the pile of crap to get rid of. - 50+

Day #21: Today I cleaned out the medicine and first aid drawers.  I don't how expired things pile up so much in those two little spaces, but they do.  Items removed - 38 

Day #22: Today was another nursery day.  More crap gone, and more baby stuff in!  YEAH!  - 50+

Weekly Spending Report: 04/06-12/2014

This week was another heavy spending week, since Baby Rogers is late and hasn't made an apperance yet.  I am so bored, and anxious for the baby to get here.  I look forward to my errand running days to just get out of the house.  Hopefully Baby Rogers will make an appearance this week, and I can take the rest of the month off.  Here's what we ended up with this week...

• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $4.32 oop, Earned $16 ECB's
• Tuesday's ALDI Trip: $16.89 oop

• Tuesday's Target Trip (no picture, 3 baby shower presents, and 3 bottles Suave shampoo, used coupons, and $10 gift card to pay): $3.33 oop, Earned $5 Target Gift Card (for Suave Shampoo)
• Tuesday's Staples Trip (no picture, just a ream of Multi-purpose paper): $4.03 oop, Earned $3.80 Easy Rebate
• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $42.51 oop, Earned Free Land O Lakes Butter Spread Coupon MIR
• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (no picture, just 4 cards and 2 newspapers): $4.24 oop
• Earned $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swag Bucks
• Earned $14.05 from Amazon

Total OOP: $75.32
Total Earned: $43.85, plus a coupon for free butter spread
Total Remaining for April: $112.22

Linked to Couponaholic! 

40 bags in 40 days Update #3

I decided to join along in the 40 bags in 40 days challenge to help decrapify the house before baby Rogers arrives in April.  Here's how week #3 went...

Day #11: Cleaned the house today, as well as cleaning out the silverware drawer.  Items removed: Misc papers and inserts from around the house - 7

 Day #12: Cleaned the microwave and stove today.  Also worked on the desk.  Items removed: Misc paper clutter - 10

Day #13:  Did a quick clean of the bathroom as well as the top of the fridge, as well as the office desk. - 23

Day #14:  Wiped down the mirrors today and cleaned out the utensil drawers - 7

Day #15:  I cleaned all of our computer screens today, as well as worked hard in the nursery and removed a huge box of trash - 100+

Day #16: Today I worked in the Nursery and managed to find another box of junk that can go - wahoo! - 25

 

Tuesday's Giant Trip

After CVS Tuesday, we also stopped into Giant to pick up some fresh fruit for me, and some other great deals.  I had to do 2 transactions to use all of my Dawn coupons, because Giant only will double up to 4 like coupons in a transaction, but since we self check-out anyway, it was no biggie.  Here's what we ended up with...

1 tub Turkey Hill Ice Cream (not pictured) $3.59 - $1.59 Sale = $2

4 boxes Eggo Waffles (not pictured) $2.79 ea - $0.29 ea Sale - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4/$8

2 boxes Land O Lakes Butter Half Sticks $4.89 ea - $1.89 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$4 + Earned Free Land O Lakes Spread Coupon from MIR

1 Smart Balance Olive Oil Spread $2.89 - $0.89 Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 = $1

Bananas $1.37

Watermelon from the Salad Bar $6.77

2 Honey Crisp Apples $1.32

Red Grapes $0.95

2-100 ct Boxes Giant Tagless Tea Bags $1.25 ea = 2/$2.50

2 jars Kraft Mayo $4.99 ea - $2 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = $1.99 ea or 2/$3.98

1 jar Newman's Own Salsa $2.79 - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 = $1.79

1 Bull's Eye BBQ Sauce $2.39

8 bottles Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap $1.39 ea - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 8 = $0.39 ea or 8/$3.12

2 boxes Lucky Charms Cereal $1.89 on clearance - $0.60/1 MC doubled to $1.20 (should have been 2 of these - ugh!) = 2/$2.58 or $1.29 ea

+ $0.84 Tax

- $0.10 Reusable Bag Credit 

Total OOP: $71.94 - $30.27 Savings/Coupons = $42.51 -- Savings of 42%!!!

Tuesday's CVS Trip

Tuesday, after my Dr's appointment, Joe and I went to CVS to roll my ECB's and do the diaper deal!  We were able to get quite a few items for very little out of pocket, and I still $18.50 in ECB's for next week!  Here's what we ended up with...

2 Jumbo pks Huggies Newborn Diapers $11.99 ea - $2.99 ea Sale - $3/1 MC x 2 +

2 Refill pks Huggies Natural Care Wipes $8.29 ea - $2.29 ea Sale - $1/2 MC - $2/1 diaper + 1 wipe CVS coupon x 2 - $5/$20 Huggies CVS Coupon - $10 ECB's wyb $30 = 2 Diapers + 2 Wipes/$4 - $1 per pkg!!!!

2 Tom's Deodorants $5.99 ea - $1.99 ea Sale - $2/2 MC - $2 ECB wyb 2 = 2/$4

2 Crest Pro-Health Toothpastes $3.79 ea - $0.80 ea Sale - $1/2 MC - $2 ECB x 2 = 2/$0.98

1 CVS Hand Soap $2.37 - $2/1 CVS coupon = $0.37

1 A&W Root beer 2 lt $2.09 - $1.10 Sale - $0.30/1 CVS Coupon = $0.69 

2 boxes Pop Secret Popcorn $3.99 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$3

3 canisters Sun-Maid Raisins $4.49 ea - $2.50 ea Sale - $2/1 MC x 3 = 3 FREE + $0.03 Money-maker!

+ $2.76 Tax

- $27.45 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $4.32, Earned $16 ECB's for next time!

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 04/09/2014

Here are some of the AWESOME deals this week at ALDI...

• Weds. 04/09 ONLY: Tyson Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs $1.49/lb
• Multi-peppers 3 pk $1.99 ea
• Sweet Potatoes 3 lbs $1.19 ea
• Asparagus 16 oz $1.69 ea
• Baby Carrots 16 oz $0.49 ea
• Strawberries 1 lb $1.49 ea
• Pineapple $1.39 ea
• Season's Choice Chopped Spinach 10 oz $0.99 ea
• Season's Choice Steamable Cheesy Broccoli Florets or California Medley with Cheese 12 oz $1.49 ea
• Season's Choice Steamable Asparagus Spears 8 oz $2.29 ea
• Season's Choice Steamable Broccoli Florets or California Medley 12 oz $1.09 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Spring Mix or Baby Spinach 5 oz $2.49 ea
• SimplyNature Organic Dressing Peppercorn Ranch or Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette 8 oz $1.99 ea
• Tuscan Garden Croutons Caesar, Cheese Garlic, or Seasoned 5 oz $0.89 ea
• Happy Harvest Cut Green Beans or Whole Kernel Corn 14.5-15.25 oz $0.49 ea
• L'oven Fresh Brown and Serve Rolls 12 oz $0.99 ea
• L'oven Fresh Hawaiian Sweet Rolls 12 oz $1.99 ea
• L'oven Fresh Cinnamon Crumb Cake 26 oz $3.99 ea
• L'oven Fresh Cheesecake Sampler 40 oz $8.99 ea 
• Baker's Corner Canned Pumpkin 15 oz $0.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Granulated Sugar 4 lb bag $1.69 ea
• Baker's Corner All Purpose Flour 5 lb bag $1.49 ea
• Happy Farms or Fit and Active Cream Cheese 8 oz  $0.99 ea
• Bake House Creations Crescent Rolls 8 oz $0.99 ea
• Bake House Creations Pie Crusts 15 oz $1.49 ea
• Countryside Creamery Butter Quarters Salted or Unsalted 16 oz $2.19 ea
• Gardenline Gazebo with Netting 10x10' $119 ea
• Gardenline 5 piece Patio Set $79.99 ea
• Gardenline String Light Assortment 10 ct $7.99 ea
• Gardenline 9' Wood Market or Aluminum Umbrella $29.99 ea
• Gardenline Umbrella Stand 30 lb Assorted Styles $16.99 ea
• Gardenline Umbrella Light $7.99 ea
• Gardenline Clematis Flowering Vine Assorted Varieties $4.99 ea
• Gardenline Spring Bulbs and Perennials Assorted Varieties $1.69 ea

For more information about shopping at ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: No Bake Cookies

Cookies are definitely my husband's favorite food, and these are probably the easiest ones that I make.  They are especially nice for when the weather is warmer, since you don't even have to turn on the oven.  I love that they come together quick, and only take simple ingredients that I always have in my pantry, and then there is the fact that they have chocolate and PB in them, which is always a hit!  So, if you'd like to make some for yourself, which you will, here's how...

1/4 c Butter or Margarine

1/2 c Milk

1/2 c Peanut Butter

2 c Sugar (I use raw sugar)

1/2 c Cocoa

3 c Quick Oats

2 tsp Vanilla Extract 

1.) Mix the sugar and cocoa in a heavy saucepan, add the milk and butter.  Bring this to a boil and let boil for about 2 minutes.  

2.) Remove from heat, add the oats to the sauce pan, stir to combine.  Add the peanut butter, and the vanilla and then mix well.

3.) Drop the mixture by the teaspoon onto wax paper, and let cool.  Store the cookies in an airtight container, they also freeze really well.

Linked to Homemade Mondays, Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-up, One Project at a Time, Thrifty Thursday, Super Saturday Link Party, and the Homestead Barn Hop!