Thanksgiving is here! I love this time of year to reflect upon my blessings, which are so many. I am so thankful that my family is healthy (well, except my current flu - lol). I have a comfortable home, a wonderful career, and so many opportunities to express my creativity. I am looking forward to the new year and want to start some new projects. I want to continue this blog and my canning, but expand my creative endeavors. I have many ideas. I never lack for ideas, but am challenged in selecting just one.

Lucky spent $33.12 savings of 48% ($26.94)

Meat:
5 lb Cook’s spiral sliced ham (1.99 a lb)
2 Jennie-o turkey sausage (2 for $6)
2 Johnsonville ground italian sausage (2 for $5 and .55 coupon)

Dairy:
2 Sunnyside Farms butter (2 for $4)
1 8 oz Sunnyside butter (free for buying Pilsbury products)

Cans/boxes:
2 Progresso broths (2 for $3 and $1 coupon)

Other:
2 bags of diamond nuts (2 for $5) chopped pecans
2 Pilsbury reduced fat crescent rolls (2 for $3)
3 Pillsbury Grands biscuits (1.69 each) (.30 C)
1 packs of Sunnyside Farms brown and serve rolls (1.29)

Vegetables:
2 bunch of celery (.49)
1 green pepper
A bag of onions
1 8lb bags of russet potatoes (2.99)

Safeway spent $76.61 saved 35% ($40.09)

Dairy:
1 32oz bag of Lucerne shredded mozzarella cheese (5.99)

Cans/boxes:
Folger’s coffee (5.99 - $1 coupon)
2 cans of Safeway evaporated milk (.99 each)

Other:
1 lb bag light brown sugar (.99)
2 5lb bags of Safeway sugar (2 for $4)
1 cool whip topping !.29)
2 Reddi Whip aerosol whipped cream (2 for $5)

Vegetables/fruits:
5 lb sweet potatoes(.79 a lb)

Frozen:
1/ 2 pack of Safeway deep dish pie crust
4 Safeway frozen vegetables (1.88 each)
1 bag of sliced ocra

Beverages:
3 Pepsi products (3 for $6.99)

Raleys spent $19.94 saved 38% ($12.28)

Dairy:
2 Lucerne cream cheese (.99 each)
18 pack Raley’s eggs ($1.99)
2 Kraft shredded or chunk cheese (2 for $5) shredded swiss, but other of your choice

Other:
1 Keebler Ready Pie Crust (1.88) graham cracker (.30 coupon)

Vegetables/fruits:
2 lbs fresh green beans (.88 a lb)
2 sliced white mushrooms (2 for $4)
3 lbs of Fuji apples (1.27 a lb)

Beverages:
2 Minute Maid orange juice (2 for $4)

I didn't have as high of a percentage as usual due to having to buy specific ingredient to make Thanksgiving treats. However, I did spent about $130 for the week, which isn't bad.

Menu for Nov. 23 through 29

Monday (23rd)
Ham, scalloped potatoes, and roasted apples

Tuesday (24th)
Breakfast for dinner – biscuits and gravy, sausages, fruit

Wednesday (25th)
Crescent roll sandwiches (ham and swiss)

Thursday (26th) Thanksgiving Day at Mother’s
My contribution roasted turkey, sweet potato casserole, and 3 pumpkin pies

Friday (27th)
Turkey tetrazzini, broccoli, and rolls

Saturday (28th)
Turkey gumbo

Sunday (29th)
Italian quesadillas and fruit (made with Italian sausage and mozzarella cheese to dip in spaghetti sauce)

Recipes from various online source (none written by me, I forgot to collect my sources, sorry!)

I believe I found this recipe from Southern cooking site. I have made this southern inspired casserole many times. Even people that hate sweet potatoes love this recipe.

Sweet Potato Casserole
A sweet potato casserole recipe, made with mashed sweet potatoes and a crunchy pecan topping. Scroll down to see more sweet potato recipes.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• .
• Topping:
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:
Combine first 6 ingredients. Pour into a buttered 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish. Mix remaining ingredients together and sprinkle over top. Bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes, until hot and browned.
Serves 6 to 8.

I picked this recipe out to try something new. I can tell you this recipe is easy and delicious. Everyone loved it, even the little girls.

No-Bake Pumpkin Butter Pie
This easy pumpkin pie is made with pumpkin butter, cream cheese, and whipped topping.
Ingredients:
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 jar pumpkin butter, 9 to 12 ounces
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups whipped topping, thawed, and more for serving
• Prepared graham cracker crust
Preparation:
Beat cream cheese, pumpkin butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon on medium speed of electric mixer until smooth and well blended, scraping the bowl occasionally. Fold in the 2 cups of whipped topping. Spoon into the prepared graham cracker crust and spread to smooth the top. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours before serving.

I am going to modify this recipe to use my pumpkin butter. I believe that I can just add the evaporated milk and eggs to pumpkin butter and bake. We will see if this works out. It did!

Pumpkin pie

• Prep: 15 min
• Cooking: 55 min
• Cooling time: 2 hrs cooling
• Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
• 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
• Whipped cream (optional)

Directions
MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

POUR into pie shell.

BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.

I have always just made up my own recipe for this casserole. I thought that I might use this recipe for guidance, but I know I will not use cream or white wine. Of course, I had to modify this recipe due to lack of something. I didn't have crackers or bread for a crumb top (we rarely eat bread), so I used a boxed cornbread mix on top. It was surprisingly delicious.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
INGREDIENTS
• 12 oz egg noodles, spaghetti, linguini or other pasta
• 12 ounces mushrooms, sliced (about 4-5 cups)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups of milk
• 1/4 cup cream
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup dry sherry, vermouth, or dry white wine
• 3 cups coarsely chopped cooked turkey
• 1 cup cooked peas
• 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/3 cup fine fresh bread crumbs
• Salt and Pepper
METHOD
1 Cook the pasta according to the package directions, al dente; drain well and set aside. After you've started with the pasta, proceed to the next steps.
2 Preheat oven to 375°F.
3 Cook the mushrooms in 3 Tbsp of the butter over moderate heat, stirring, until all of the liquid they give off has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
4 In a large, heavy saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of butter. Stir in the flour, and cook the mixture over low heat, stirring, for 3 minutes.
5 Gradually stir in the milk, cream, broth, and the wine or sherry. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes.
6 In a large bowl combine well the pasta, the sauce, the mushrooms, the turkey, the peas, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in 1/3 cup of the Parmesan and the 1/3 cup of Swiss cheese, and transfer the mixture to a buttered shallow 3-quart casserole.
7 In a small bowl combine well the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan, the bread crumbs, and salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle the mixture evenly over the Tetrazzini, and dot the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, cut into bits.
8 Bake the Tetrazzini in the middle rack of the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until it is bubbling and the top is golden.
Serves 4 to 6.

Weekends and illness

I love weekends, but hate being ill. I have some type of illness - sinus with fatigue. My symptoms are not that bad, but I feel horrible. This feels like a virus that causes some form of emotional condition. I feel so sensitive and unable to handle anything. Oh well, I will get over it soon. I hope my family survives this illness and the way it makes me feel. I am not canning this weekend due to being sick and TIRED. The little girls are helping with the baby and everyone is helping out. I have a great family.

Lucky Spent 67.24 Saved 48.82 Percentage saved 42%
There were two emergency candy bars purchased that cost $4

Meat:
5 lbs Cross rib roast (1.78 a lb)
4 lbs Foster Farm Chicken breast (1.49 a lb)
4 lbs pork loin chops (1.28 a lb)
2 packages of Jennie O ground turkey (2 for $7)
18 count Sunnyside Farms large eggs (2.99)

Vegetables:
2 fresh express salads (.97 each)
1 cabbage (.49 a lb)
5 lb box of Cutie tangerines ($4.97)

Beverages:
Buy 2 12 packs of coca cola and get 2 free
2 Minute Maid orange juices (2 for $5)

Safeway Spent $29.96 Saved $43.02 Percentage saved 59%
My shopper, my darling, Jeff, bought 11 cans of pineapple, and just 1 grapefruit.

Cans/boxes
10 cans of Dole pineapple (10 for $10)

Vegetables/fruits
4 lbs pears (99 cents lb)
4 lbs Oranges (79 cents a lb)
4 Texas Red Grapefruits (79 cents each)
4 lbs Large Gala apples (79 cents of lb)
6 avocados (2 for $1)

Frozen
4 package of Bird’s Eye Steamfresh vegetables (4 for $5 with coupon)

Raleys Spent $17.64 saved $21.89 percentage saved 55%

Dairy`
10 yoplait yogurts ($6)

Cans/boxes
2 progresso chicken broth (3.25 each)
4 progresso soups (free w/ broth purchase)

Other
Red Star Dry Yeast (3 count for $1.49)
2 packs of Sun Maid Dried Fruit (2 for $5 and a $1 coupon) (cranberries and prunes)

Menu for November 16-22

Monday (16th)
Roast in the crockpot, sautéed cabbage, orange slices

Tuesday (17th)
Macaroni and cheese, salad
(add pureed carrots to macaroni and cheese)

Wednesday(18th)
Roasted chicken breast w/cranberries chutney on the side,

Thursday (19th)
Ground turkey chili, salad

Friday (20th)
Pork Chops w/tomato marmalade glaze, sliced pears

Saturday (21st)
Chicken noodle soup (made w/ leftover chicken)

Sunday (22nd)
Grilled cheese and soup

cranberry orange chutney

Wow! Who knew cranberries had so much pectin. No wonder it is a traditional jelly for Thanksgiving. This recipe was EASY and tastes fabulous. I made 10 half pints from that recipe. The chutney has a bit more tanginess than cranberry sauce. There is also addition of the onion which lends a savoury flavor. I am looking forward to sharing this cranberry chutney for the Thanksgiving. I think most people will enjoy this chutney. I saw a recipe for cranberry ketchup. Hmm... well, next week maybe. :)

recipe at Cranberry Orange Chutney (http://farmersmarketonline.com/recipefile/?p=29)

I had to laugh today when my son, age 20, went back to Fortuna, CA, to the CCC, CA Conservation Corp. He was out in the garage raiding my stock of canned goodies. He took a pinapple marmalade, tomato marmalade, pineapple chutney, and caramel apple jam. I hope it makes the food tastes better up at the chow hall. He said anything would help.

Report cards and other thoughts of turkeys

This weekend will be devoted to the completion of 24 report cards that inform parents of strengths and areas of need. However, turkey day does approach and my desire to prepare for this holiday is rising. I have not yet found my recipes but want to make a cranberry chutney (or something like that - thick and fruity), and a traditional cranberry jelly (for my husband as he likes the jellied type). I will post again when I find that magic recipe. Chutney can be okay or it can be fabulous, but it depends on the right recipe.

My shopping list this week was uninspired and down right boring. I guess I am not in the mood for food this week. However, my granddaughter relies on me to keep her happy in the meal department and I can't let her down. No one else in my family cares, but my little dumpling greets me at the door daily with the demand, "What's for dinner?" She expects an immediate answer and quick meal service as well. What can I say, she is a chip off the old block - direct and commanding. :)

Shopping List

Lucky spent $73.41 saved $44.64 total percentage saved 38%

Meat:
2 packs of Johnsonville Bratwurtz (2 for $7)
2 packs of Johnsonville Italian sausage (2 for $7)

Dairy:
2 sunnyside farms natural sliced cheese (swiss 2 for $5)

Cans/boxes:
2 Sun Maid golden raisins (2 for $5)

Bakery:
1 package of rolls for the brats (at least an 8 count)

Vegetables:
2/ 12 oz of cranberries (2 for $5)
Watermelon (2.99)
5 lb fuji apples (3.99)
3 lbs of pears (.99 a lb)
10 lbs sweet potatoes (69 cents a lb)
2 Pacific Coast salads (2 for $4)
A piece of ginger

Safeway spent $81.78 saved $77.81 total percentage saved 49%

Meat:
2 turkeys ($6.77 w/ $20 purchase)
Safeway SELECT bacon (free w/ $50 purchase)
4 lbs 7 bone pot roast ($2.49 a lb)

Dairy:
Lucerne cream cheese (.99)
Lucerne large eggs (free w/ $50 purchase)
Lucerne butter (1.49)

Cans/boxes:
4 Progesso high fiber soup (4 for $5)
2 Progresso 100% natural chicken broth (buy 1, get 1 free)
4 boxes Nutri-grain bars (4 for $6)

Bakery:
Safeway Raisin bread (free w/ $50 purchase)
4 Thomas Mix and match sale (1.99 each limit 10)

Vegetables/fruits:
Asparagus (1.47 a lb)

Beverages:
Safeway 100% orange juice (free w/ $50 purchase)

Other:
Special purchases of $5.99 each, if you buy 2
100 oz 2x Safeway liquid laundry detergent
12 double roll pack Cottonelle toilet paper
6 Big Roll Bounty papertowels
Hefty Cinch Sak (45 count)

Raleys spent $16.89 saved 10.26 total percentage saved 37%
unplanned purchase agave nectar

Dairy:
10 Yoplait yogurt (10 for $5)

Vegetables/fruits:
2 organic baby bella mushrooms (2 for $4)

Beverages:
2 Minute Maid orange juice (2 for $4)

Uninspired menu for November 9-15

Monday (9th)(family favorite!)
Breakfast for dinner – French toast, bacon, sausage, sliced watermelon

Tuesday (10th)
Brats on a roll, baked sweet potato fries, and pears

Wednesday(11th) Veteran’s Day
Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, salad, and rolls

Thursday (12th)
Roasted chicken breast, mixed vegetables, sliced watermelon

Friday (13th)
Baked potatoes w/ sautéed mushrooms and swiss cheese sauce, and roasted apples

Saturday (14th)
Italian pot roast served on pasta, asparagus, orange slices

Sunday (15th)
Mother’s for dinner




Cranberry Orange Chutney (http://farmersmarketonline.com/recipefile/?p=29)

This recipe from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension canning guidebook So Easy To Preserve is a great side dish or condiment for turkey, chicken or pork. It makes 8 half-pint jars of jellied chutney.

• 24 ounces fresh whole cranberries
• 2 cups chopped white onion
• 2 cups golden raisins
• 1½ cups white sugar
• 1½ cups packed brown sugar
• 2 cups white distilled vinegar (5 percent)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
• 4 teaspoons peeled, grated fresh ginger
• 3 sticks cinnamon


Start by washing the jars. Keep them hot until ready to use. Prepare lids according to manufacturer’s directions.

Rinse cranberries well.

Combine all ingredients in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes or until cranberries are tender.
Stir often to prevent scorching. Remove cinnamon sticks and discard.

Fill the hot chutney into the clean, hot half-pint jars, leaving a half-inch of headspace.

Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if needed. Wipe rims with a damp paper towel.
Apply two-piece metal canning lids. Process them in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes. Time may need to be longer at high altitudes.

Let them cool undisturbed for 12 hours to 24 hours and check seals.

pineapple chutney

I do love a sweet and sour flavor of a chutney. This recipe has less spices than other chutneys I have eaten. The simple flavors of the pineapple, apples, tomatoes, and onions rule in this chutney with vinegar and subtle hint of mustard in the background. I cut the pineapple and apples into half an inch cubes. The tomatoes and onions were cut into quarter inch cubes. My goal was that the onions and tomatoes would take back seat to the fruit. It seemed to work. The last chutney I made, a peach and mango chutney, had so many spices in it - cinnamon, allspice, etc...- that my little ones didn't like it. I told them this chutney has some things in common with ketchup, such as sugar, vinegar, and tomatoes. We ate some on a pork roast (Sunday night's dinner) and they loved it.