The Boys Are Back In Town

Guess who's in town for a few days?

The Rhodes boys (and Whitney, too)! I had to work, but I kept getting photos all day from my mom. They went to the zoo...

Tapirs, my favorite

Yesterday they even went to Babalu! Liam was the guardian of the chips. I heard that he ate a lot of them himself.

Last night, we got together for dinner at my aunt and uncle's house. (Cary, this photo's for you. RJ and Sally Kate say hello!)

We had Mexican Quinoa Casserole, which was a HUGE hit. It serves so much!

It was all so good! I'm so glad they got to come here for Spring Break. There's really a lot to do in Jackson once you start looking. (If you don't know what to do, that's my job, so you come to me and I'll show you around!)

Easter Review

I honestly had a great Easter. Between getting settled into my new old church (I have started going back to my grandparents' church, if you didn't know) and seeing family, it really made the holiday that much easier. This was the first holiday we had without my Papaw, but he was really there in spirit.

Somehow, I have been able to keep the Yarrow alive since the funeral, so I took it to put on the cross at the church for Easter. It was really sweet to see it all up there. 

After church, I headed to my parents' house to grab the dishes of food to take to my aunt and uncle's house and to see what the Easter Bunny left me!

He was extra generous this year...

Festive tables

 Lots of good food. Ham, Chicken Tetrazzini, Green Bean Casserole, Red Hot and Blue Potato Salad...

 Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar, Peas

 Two recipes of Deviled Eggs

It's making me hungry just thinking about it! It was wonderful to have family in town.

Now, we've got more family in town for the week. More on that later!

Kroger - 4/25/11

I have to say, days off right after a holiday are the best. Granted, I'd like to say I had the day off for Civil Rights Memorial Day instead of Confederate Memorial Day (that measure died in committee this legislative session). But, my body just can't accept holidays and still gets up at 6:50, so I've gotten a lot done already today. Worked on a freelance piece, went to the gym (so I technically went to work because I parked in my space at the office, right?), and made my way to Kroger.

(2) Cans Dole Pineapple, $1/2 coupon
(3) Green Giant frozen veggies
Ground turkey
Cantaloupe
Tresemme Dry Shampoo, $1/1 coupon (for the gym, since I work out during lunch and hate the sweat!)
Jiffy corn muffin mix
Sweet potatoes
Bananas
Pillsbury Sugar-Free Brownie Mix, $.35/1 coupon (doubled to $.70 off)
Tidy Cat Litter, $1/1 coupon
Spinach
(4) Yogurt
Glade Candle, FREE coupon I received in the mail

Total Value: $35.77
Total Spent: $23.87
Total Saved: $11.90 (35%)

Easter Sunday

Normally right about now you'd be seeing a grocery trip for the day, but because it's Easter, I've got the (grocery) day off! I have to say, I'm a little excited about it. Usually there's a big rush on Sunday for me to get out the door, shop, photograph, blog, shower and eat breakfast all before church at 10:30. It's been fun to just enjoy the morning (which I normally don't get to do because of work and opening at the Drip most Saturdays).

So, right now I'm enjoying my breakfast on the couch with the latest Pottery Barn catalog that was sent to a previous tenant. Eating a slice of Great Harvest Whole Wheat Goodness with mashed banana split because I couldn't decide which nut butter to use (if I were on Twitter, this is where I would say #firstworldproblems)... so I did a teaspoon of peanut butter and a teaspoon of almond butter on their respective halves. 

Off to make a green bean casserole for Easter lunch! Hope the Easter Bunny was kind to you...

Busy Busy Busy

Phew, this has been the craziest week at work ever, by far. But, I'm less than a month to the year mark. Can you believe it? Right now I'm doing a big economic impact report, which deals with formulas and lots of numbers in the millions. Yeah, it's a little intimidating to say the least. Thank goodness for Excel and AutoSum.

But, I've been able to squeeze out a few photos to show you guys...

First, we have to talk about this wonderful lunch I had today at this new Mediterranean restaurant in Fondren, called Petra Cafe. The building is next to the JFP offices where I interned, but at that time it was under another name. This knocks the socks off the old place, big time. 

One of the biggest pluses over the old joint is the buffet at lunch. May seems strange to see this type of cuisine with a hot line, but it was wonderful. I got samplings of baba ganoush, hummus, fish, chicken, beef/okra mixture, and a few potato slices. It was great! If you're in the area, you've got to check it out.

After running around and popping my head into Anthropologie (side note: They are having a great sale. I got a shirt for $10 and $20!), I was really craving yogurt. Knowing there's a self-serve yogurt just about a stone's throw from everywhere now, I went by Millie D's for half Lemon Ice Box and half Strawberry. Not my favorite, but it was good for the time. I really like the yogurts that are less milky/creamy and are fruit flavored, like my favorite flavor at Berry Berry Good. 

I have been seeing orange tulips all over the place and have been wanting some for my table for weeks. Seeing that they are about as cheap as they'll get with Easter around the corner, I grabbed a bundle today. I love flowers (hint, hint). 

Happy Easter weekend, y'all!

Kroger - 4/17/11

I wasn't expecting to buy half of the things I did today, but I actually had a really awesome trip! Can we all have a moment of silence for the fact that I had to buy a 2 lb. container of oatmeal because of my upped consumption lately? Thanks.

Kroger Oats
*Lysol Cleaner
Pyrex measuring cup, $1/1 product
*(3) Swiffer dry cloth refills, $.50/1 refill (doubled to $1/1) + Buy 1 Get 1 FREE coupon
Cantaloupe
Kroger yellow rice
(2) Green Giant boxed frozen veggies, (2) $.50/1 coupons (doubled to $1/1, making them FREE)
Strawberries
(2) Kroger Hot Pepper Shredded Cheese, $.50/1 coupon (also on sale for B1G1)
Bananas
Black grapes
Eggs
Popchip Potato Chips (I'm officially obsessed... but they aren't bad for you! 20 chips = 120 cal)

*$4 off order when you buy 4 cleaning items

Total Value: $51.42
Total Spent: $28.44
Total Saved: $22.98 (46%)

There were a lot of interesting things at the grocery store today. My most exciting item, besides my freebies, was the Pyrex measuring cup. I had been wanting this "read the measurement from above" cup from TJ Maxx, but there is was $3.99 and I got it here for $1.77 after coupon! I hadn't planned on doing the cleaning items deal, but I just happened to look through my coupon holder to see if there were any coupons and that's when I found my $.50 off and B1G1 coupons. At the rate in which my cat is shedding on my dark hardwood floors, these won't last long, I promise you.

Hope you have a wonderful Palm Sunday!

Arts, Eats, and Beats

It's funny to me to see what types of restaurants my friends and I choose to go to versus where we would have gone in high school. In high school, we we would have jumped at the chance to eat sushi or Chick-fil-a. Now, we're supposedly sensible adults that choose the salad bar at Jason's Deli. It doesn't hurt that we are all in some form or fashion trying to watch what we eat. But, man, I had forgotten how good it was...

Especially these "organic flatbread crackers," which I think are Jason's version of Dr. Kracker crackers. I dipped them in red pepper hummus and was very happy.

After that, we headed down to Fondren for Arts, Eats, and Beats, the springtime celebration that starts off Fondren After 5, which after this event is the first Thursday of each following month (remember when Sital and I went in November?). All the stores stay open with offerings of food and wine with musical stages scattered all around. Ballot got to come along again this time too!

After parking, I happened to see the best sticker on a minivan EVER.

That's all the words. Happy Friday!

Oatmeal Surprise

I made the best accidental discovery this morning. I've gotten where I'll sleep in a few extra minutes and take my breakfast to work. It honestly works out so much better. I would have never have thought that waiting an extra 20-30 minutes to eat breakfast would keep me full so much longer. So, like normal, I made my banana oatmeal at home and wrapped it in foil to eat once I made the small (7 minute) drive to work. But today, instead of putting the 1-2 teaspoons of peanut butter on the side, I just blobbed it with the oatmeal.

Opening up the foil once I got to work, I had the best surprise...

Perfect liquid PB evenly all over my oats! It looks like a ton once it's melting, but it was pretty thinly over everything and I make sure to measure before I even added it. This is my new favorite way to eat oatmeal!

In other news: I'm an oatmeal geek. Have a good day.

It's Tuesday??

Seriously? Tuesday is over? For a second I second-guessed myself and thought it was Monday, but, pheww, Tuesday is coming to a close. I, for one, am pretty excited. One more day down of eatin' good and one more day to the gym! I'm pretty excited about that.

Tonight I had such a good time with my long time friend Rachel for a sushi date. We go way back (to 8th grade Campus Life??).

Rachel and I, my freshman year of college

By 3:30 this afternoon, I was HUNGRY, so I was happy to see the edamame come out quickly. Sorry, no photos, I was hungry and we had lots to talk about!

But, I do have a photograph of a few steals of mine on my way home...

Ok, it doesn't look like much, but I didn't pay a penny! This past week, CVS has had a few free product coupons, including a free beverage or candy and free Essence of Beauty anti-bacterial product coupon. I walked in, grabbed both, and walked out happy. I believe the coupons are still available if you'd like to get in on it too!

Flower Fever

This weekend my mom and I went on our annual trek for plants. Moore's may be off the beaten path, but it's always so beautiful to be inside.

Not to mention, we got a good haul of plants.

I got some succulents, coleus, crooked neck yellow squash, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Spike liked our plants too.

I have been trying to eat better lately, so it wasn't fun to come into the kitchen at work with morning to this on the table (and no, I didn't eat any!)...

But, I did sign up for the gym today! I am lucky enough to have a really nice gym across the street from our office, so there's no reason not to go during lunch.

Gotta love some Mexican Quinoa Casserole for dinner!

Kroger and CVS - 4/09/11

Man, it is HOT outside. I am not ready!! That may explain why I bought all drinks at CVS today...

CVS

Transaction 1:
(3) Honest Tea
-(3) $1 off coupon
Total Spent: $1.28, Got back $1 ECB

Transaction 2:
12 pk Coke Zero (which stayed in the car to go to the office)
-$3 Winter Spending ECB
Total Spent: $.37

Total Value: $10.67
Total Spent: $1.65
Total Saved: $9.02 (85%)

Kroger

Kroger Shrimp
Cantaloupe
Spinach
Spring Mix
Margarine
Sweet potatoes
Bananas
Cottage Cheese
Ground turkey
Wheat tortillas
(2) Starkist Tuna Pouches, (2) $.50/1 coupons (doubled to $1 off)
Nature's Pride bread

Total Value: $33.26
Total Spent: $26.77
Total Saved: $6.49 (20%)

Friday!

I have been enjoying having flowers all around my house this week. Always being too cheap to buy them myself, I can't believe how much flowers change my mood.

This white roses and yellow flowers, below, are both from my grandfather's funeral. They are a sweet reminder of him and all our wonderful friends.

I've also gotten some additions from my roommate, who had to work an event last night (gotta love working in marketing!). She brought home some gorgeous tulips.

Along with a few other things to add to my already growing collections (the springs of eucalyptus are also from the funeral)

My favorite is the Tropicana rose. I've always loved them.

Surprisingly, Kitty hasn't even looked at them. I thought they'd all the eaten by now.

But that doesn't stop her from trying to be cute in front of the camera...

Happy Friday!

Baby Basil

Remember how my herbs started out? My baby basil is growing up so fast!

The chives? Not so fast. Good thing I have two pots of them.

I love seeing all my herbs and my hard work to keep them growing. I'm just glad I'm not killing them.

Kroger - 4/3/11

I thought about not showing you guys this grocery trip. But, because I like to be as real as possible and show you my non-coupon trips as well... here's my total from day (Note: Please hold snickering until the end, ok?).

Simply Orange Juice
Taco seasoning
3 Honeycrisp apples
Zucchini
4 bananas
Jif Simply Peanut Butter
Milk
Cantaloupe
Spring Salad Mix
Healing Garden Green Tea body wash (Manager's Special)
Sebastian Thickefy Foam (Manager's Special)

Total Value (according to my receipt): $32.87
Total Spent: $32.35
Total Saved: $.52 (1%)

I say according to my receipt, because the computer doesn't take into account that the body wash and hair foam were 50%, which really saved me an additional $7.98 or 26% off the total.

I know, 1%, right? It's OK, I laughed a little too.

Papaw

To say that this week was the most tiring, sad, but wonderful week would be an understatement. 

Tuesday morning, my Papaw passed away. For any family death is hard. For a family like mine, we lost a patriarch in a big, close family. There aren't enough words to describe how sad, but wonderful the funeral was. To me, the most ironic thing was much Papaw would have loved to be there with everyone. It was such a blessing to see so many people there (I mean, hundreds).

So, in honor of Papaw, check out a few of my posts about him: here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Read his obituary (which he wrote in 1989 and I revised/updated) here.