Pantry Cooking

This week, to save money, as well as clear out the shelves and freezer of foods that have been sitting for quite some time, I'm doing "pantry cooking". Basically it's trying to use foods that you already have on hand. I'll have to substitute with some food from the grocery store and Farmer's Market but I hope to keep our meals under $50 this week.

We picked up our first CSA order of the season. We received green onions, kale, radishes, cherry tomatoes, rhubarb, and asparagus. We've eaten it all already except for a bag of radishes and a few green onions.

I'm not a big fan of "greens" cooked so decided to use the kale to make Kale Chips. Just wash, dry, rip the leaves off the stems, pour some olive oil on and toss, spread on cookie sheets, then sprinkle with your favorite seasoning (we did have just salt and half salt and garlic powder).  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-12 minutes until crisp (check often to make sure they aren't burning). They were a hit in this house and gone by that evening.

For supper I pulled some natural "pizza pockets" from the freezer that my mom had given to me, made a big salad with organic lettuce and green onions, and have rhubarb crisp cooling on the counter. 

Whether you are trying to save money or not it's good to do some pantry cooking every now and then. It makes you take stock of what you have on hand and use up items before they go to waste.
 

Third Thursday Community Potluck Cookbook

The Third Thursday Community Potluck Cookbook by Nancy Vienneau is based on recipes which have been dishes actually cooked/baked for Third Thursday Community Potluck. It's hosted by a group of friend and strangers, and each month offers a menu that celebrates the bounty of the moment.

That was my favorite aspect of the cookbook - that each month is a chapter based on produce that is at the peak of it's season. It makes it easy to pick out new recipes to try.

The recipes are fresh and flavorful sounding. No canned mixes or boxed items. These are the types of dishes that I would LOVE to see at a potluck. These aren't "potluck" dishes per se. These dishes can all come together to make a nice at home meal.

The pictures are gorgeous. Just looking at them make me hungry. The recipes sound delicious.

Unfortunately, this didn't turn out to be my type of cookbook. The majority of the recipes seem to fancy for us and would require more patience in the kitchen than I have. This would be a perfect cookbook for someone who is into a bit more of gourmet type cooking or those liking to experiment with a large range of flavors.

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.      

Let's Sew Together

One of my goals is to start to sew. My husband gave me a brand new sewing machine a few years ago and I've only used it a handful of times. Unfortunately, it's just hard to know where to start when you don't know how to sew.

That's why I jumped at the chance to read and review Let's Sew Together by Rubyellen Bratcher. It's a book of simple projects the whole family can make.

I must admit, some of these projects seem a bit daunting to a novice like me. Other ones will be perfect for beginner projects! The book is just adorable - so colorful, whimsical, and fun. I see a lot of projects that the kids would love (Pockets & Secret Treasure Toys, Quirky Rag Doll to name a few) and several I would love (Tickled Pink Picnic Blanket, Giant Dollhouse Pillow). This is a great addition to my "craft shelf" and I hope to pull it out this fall/winter and complete several projects!

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
 

Weekend Project

This was our my husband's and brother's weekend project.

We were going to add railings but right now I'm loving the openness of it and am thinking of keeping it this way.

All that is left to do is paint and then spend some time sipping iced tea, reading a book, and listening to the birds sing. 
 

A Deadly Business

It's been quite some time since I've read a crime/mystery and now I wonder why I waited so long to pick up another. At first, when I realized that A Deadly Business by Lis Wiehl was #2 in the Mia Quinn series I thought I would be disappointed since I hadn't read the first. Surprisingly, I never would have known it as this book flowed well on it's own.

When Mia Quinn begins to suspect that maybe her husband's death wasn't an accident she starts off a chain reaction that leads to a very suspenseful story. What I like best about this mystery is that the lead character doesn't come across as overly beautiful, overly cocky, or as a know-it-all. I can't remember a mystery in quite some time that doesn't have all those aspects in the main character (avid readers, I'm sure you know what I mean!).

It wasn't so faced paced that I couldn't put it down before bed but it did have me wondering how it would end so I did finish it within a 24 hour time period. It was a perfect mix of suspense and mystery without being so far fetched like many mysteries. A very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading Lis Wiehl's other books!

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

June The Boodle Box Review

How surprised I was to get the June The Boodle Box in the mail this week! Becca stood behind me screaming "open it, open it, open it!" so I'm guessing just was just a tad bit excited about it!

The theme for June is "Get pedi ready!" There are two variations of The Boodle Box; one for ages 5-10 and one for ages 11+. This box is for the 11+ group.

It was colorful and exciting immediately upon opening the box. I love the first look when it looks as fun as this!

Included in this month's box was:

*Katy Perry Meow Solid Perfume Locket ($35). This is just too cute...sparkly, pink, and made well. I love this and Becca wore it with her "cat shirt" today.

*Flip Flop 4 Piece Manicure Kit ($8) So adorable...and useful!

*Flip Flop Bling Straps ($3.99) What girl doesn't want to add a little extra bling to some plain flip flops?

*Ruby Wing "Crowd Surf" color-changing nail polish ($10) How cool is that?! The color is pretty too and goes from light to darker in the sunlight!

*Flip Flop Notepad and Stickie set ($1) Becca loves paper and will put these to good use!

*Flip Flop Lip gloss ($3.50) See that cute little "shoe" by the notepads? Yep, that is a lip gloss canister. So cute and perfect for a girls purse or beach bag!

*Cosmetic Bag and Brush Holder ($12) Becca will probably end up using this as a pen/pencil case and it's a handy little case for toting around and keeping things together and safe.

Another fun box that "got" tween perfectly, I think. Becca loved this box and I thought it was a great box too! This is the perfect subscription for the girl in your life! Prices start at $19.99 and there is also an option for a one-time "gift box" for $24.99 - that would make a great birthday or special gift for someone you know.

Their shop is also now open,with items from the May Launch Box for sale, as well as the May Launch Box itself.

Disclaimer: This box was given to me by The Boodle Box in exchange for my honest opinion.

May MunchPak Box Review

What is more fun than a box of yummies shipped directly to your door?

MunchPak is a candy subscription box. It's original in the fact that many of these products I have never heard of, nor seen in our local stores. That makes it extra fun!

Items like Tayto Prawn Cocktail, Koala's March Cookies

Sour Smog Balls (these are seriously delicious - I want more!)

The Sour Punch Straws is the only item in this box that I have tried before.

Every single member of my family enjoyed trying out these different snacks. I think this would make an awesome summer subscription for kids and great treats to throw in the beach bag or summer vacation travel bag.

There are three box size options. I was sent the MunchPak Mini which starts at $7.95 (plus shipping) and it goes up to the FamilyPak which is $24.95 (plus shipping).

Disclaimer: This box was sent to me by MunchPak in exchange for my honest review.