Cream of Chicken Soup

OK so I am now hooked on making my own cream of chicken soup. Sorry Campbell soup company but this is by far superior!

Now I got this recipe from a wonderful recipe blog called Our Best Bites. Here is a direct link to Kate's recipe and how to.

I tweaked the recipe to make it more pantry accessible to me.

1 1/2 c.chicken broth (2 cubes chicken bullion and 1 1/2 cups water)
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt (more or less; taste to test)
1/4 teaspoon parsley
dash of paprika
1 1/2 cups milk, divided (I used powdered milk)
3/4 cup flour

Then I followed her directions just as they are. Except I add in chicken.

In medium-sized saucepan, bring chicken broth, seasonings, and 1/2 c. of the milk to a boil. In a bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 cup of milk and flour.

Add to boiling mixture and continue whisking briskly until mixture boils and thickens. Cook until desired consistency is reached, keeping in mind that it will continue to thicken as it stands.

Makes the equivalent of 2 cans of condensed cream of chicken soup. Read as if in the can no milk or water added.

Now I am ready to make chicken gravy over rice or pasta. I add more milk, a huge dollop of sour cream and there you go. Top with cheese and YUM!

Okay so this isn't a pretty dish BUT it is a family favorite at my house. Oh that looks like a HUGE portion, let's say it was for the Hubby!

For a low carb but still awesome flavor recipe look here.

I also now use this soup for my Green Chile Enchiladas. Look for these in an up coming post!

Thrifty Thurday

Just a few quick ideas today.


Before you leave to go out be it shopping or to a friends, check your accounts. Know what money is available. Make a goal not to spend more than you need to.

Think before you leave. Grab a snack for the kids, a soda from the fridge, do you have everything you need. Challenge yourself to stop spending money on silly little things that you already have, and to really think before you buy.

Always have a shopping list. Stick too it. Eat before you go grocery shopping.

Got some tricks of your own, or heaven forbid a problem with one of mine, let me know! ;)

Thirfty Thursday

I must send you off to another blog today! I read an AWESOME guest post over at The Bargain Jargon today. While you are there look around. Christy is a bargain guru!!

NEVER judge a book by its cover. Same goes for thrift stores!

Go check out this post!

Tasty Tuesday

School Lunches

I do not buy school lunches. At our school they are about $2.75 and with two kiddos eating 5 lunches a week that is about $27.50 a week. OUCH!! So I thought I would find some ways to spice up their lunch boxes this year.

Banana Sushi

The Kraft foods website also has a lunchbox sulutions spot. It even has a section on lunch box jokes!

I think this looks fun too.

Remember presentation is very important to some kids.

Mom's Lunchbox Cheat Sheet

( from the Kraft site!!)

Place a frozen juice box in your kids’ lunchbox. – it’ll keep the food chilled and will be thawed by lunchtime.

Go for variety. Make sandwiches using whole grain tortillas, bagels or pitas.

Pack antibacterial wet wipes so your kids can clean their hands before and after eating.

Add grated veggies to sandwiches and wraps for crunch – your kids won’t notice they’re eating something that’s good for them!

Use small resealable bags to pack dressings. Kids can open one corner and simply squeeze onto salad, then discard.

Get dipping! Pack salsa, hummus, yogurt or salad dressing for your little ones to dunk their sandwich, veggies or fruit into.

Make bite-sized and mini versions of regular foods like sandwiches. They work well for small appetites and are more likely to be eaten.

Add a quick note to say good luck on a test or “I love you” – it will brighten your child’s day.

Thrifty Thursday

Job Swaps

A great way to save cash and still get the job done is a job swap.
We had some trees that needed to come down, plus some libming up to get done. We have a friend who used to do that for a living (still does as a side job) that needed a room in his shop built. So we help him do our trees and Hubby helped him build the room in his shop.

A friend of mine teaches music lessons from her home. This said friend HATES to clean bathrooms. She had a student who was low on funds. Guess what they did? Yup. Said friend gets clean bathrooms and student gets misic lessons.

What a great way to share our talents and save our cash!!

This can work great with babysitting as well. :)

Thrifty Thursday

7 ways I saved money this week.

1. Planned dinner around my pantry instead of making a grocery run.
2. Using cards I already have instead of buying new spendy ones for teachers thanks yous. Yes the cards are unused!! :)
3. Opened the curtains and turned off the lights.
4. Used a redbox code to get a free movie rental.
5. We ate in all week.
6. Made cookies and bread. Also made rootbear floats at home VS. going to DQ!!
7. Used the BBQ instead of heating up the house.

There are a lot of things I do on a normal basis that most people would consider scrimping it. For me though they are just normal. So are a few of those:

1. Kids and Hubby took lunches to work and school.
2. Used powdered milk in my recipies.
3. Always look at clearance first when shopping.

That's all I can think of right now. LOL!! What are some things you do to save money?

Thrifty Thursday

Take a mini vacation

Not everyone can afford a trip to Disneyland or a romantic getaway cruise. Here are some ideas for local and lower cost day trips and mini-vacations.

The local zoo. For me this is Point Defiance and North West Trek. Also we are planning a trip up to Woodland Park Zoo (here is a coupon worth $2 off up to 4 tickets). Point Defiance and NW Trek have a great combo membership you might want to consider. Remember memberships can make up for what you would pay in one or two visits. Plus when you have a membership it is like a prepaid fun-day!

Local water parks and/or theme parks. For me this would be Wild Waves Water Park & Enchanted Village.

Museums and Historical Centers. Places like the Museum of Flight, the Pacific Science Center, and the Tacoma Art Museum are all great places to visit and learn. If your going to Tacoma visit the the Museum District. If you want to be super local check out the Karshner Museum. Keep in mind most museums offer one free or discounted admission day each month.

Looking for something a little more romantic? A Bed & Breakfast can be a sweet treat. Washington is full of them. Just google bed and breakfast and you will find tons of sites ready to help you choose. My personal favorite is the Chinaberry Hill . The view is to die for, the food is killer good, they have an open snack bar, and the owners are total sweet hearts!!

Local landmarks. Snoqualmie Falls, Decetions Pass, Mount Rainer, Mount St. Helen. Take your pick. Washington has so much to offer. State Parks.com has a great list of all national parks.

Whatever you do ENJOY IT!!!

Thrifty Thursday

Make Your Own

At Make your own you can learn how to make anything from your own insect repellent to skin treatments.

Learn to make your own soaps, lotions, and salt scrubs at Teach soap. These make great gifts too!

Make your own word searches, cross words and mazes at Discovery Education.

Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit at Care2. You can do this using things you already have around your house.

The Simple Dollar has a ton of ideas. The one I am going to try this week is making my own laundry soap. I am about out of my killer stash from last year so....wish me luck!!

Thrifty Thursday

Joy in Frugality

As I read my Sunday paper I went right for the easy stuff. The parade magazine. I get my bits of gossip, a few comics, and a look at what easy and quick reads there are. With kids and Sunday mornings this is my quick fix. In this process I found an article I thought perfect for this blog. Finding Joy in Frugality by Alix Kates Shulman.

What a great find and a must read for anyone who thinks life ends when ones decides to be frugal. Here are some quotes that I found most enlightening.

"If you don’t need it, don’t buy it; never buy a new one if your old one works; never buy an expensive one when a lower-priced one will do. I abandoned bookstores for libraries, restaurants for my kitchen, boutiques for bargains—and soon found myself enjoying a gleeful sense of liberation."

" Instead of buying what you think you need, adapt your needs to what’s around you. "

Food Storage Friday

On your MARKER. Get set. GO!!!

One of my favorite food/product storage tools is the marker. I prefer a good ole black sharpie. Every time I open a jar of peanut butter, a new laundry soap, salt or spice I mark the date on it with my sharpie. When that particular container runs out I have a general idea how many I would need to store for X amount of time. I do recommend this for your longer use items such as those listed above. This is great in the bathroom too. Shampoo, toothpaste and the like. Make a note of how long items last you and then watch for a great sale. Then you will know how much to buy for say 3 months or even a year. Be sure to pay attention to expiration date on stock up items.

Thrifty Thursday

Shopping Day Prep

Friday is payday, and grocery shopping day at our house. So today I will be getting things together.

I like to start by going over the adds. Then I plan out a menu (Daphne came over and we planned out two whole weeks!!!). Then I go through my coupons and mach them up to sales. Then I write out my deals for each store.

When I am done I have a weekly menu to post on the fridge. My shopping list is all written out and coupons are attached. The coupon folder is organized (hopefully).

Now how is this thrifty? Well, I minimize my impulse buys. I can organize all my shopping into one gas and time efficient trip. I am ready to hit the road right after breakfast so I am not starving while shopping and then I don't buy snacky foods.

Here is a money saving tip I learned from a visiting teacher a few years ago. (If you read this you know who you are and I love you!!) PRAY!! Pray to stay in a budget, pray to find the deals you need, and pray to resist temptation of things you don't need.

Thrifty Thursday

Vinegar and it's MANY uses

Basic cleaning solution (compliments of Sister Ardmore):

½ cup ammonia
1/3 cup vinegar
2 Tbsp baking soda
1 gallon water

Mix in a container, this can be used for cleaning stove tops, bathroom sinks, bath tubs, floors. Anything you would use an all purpose cleaner for.

Use vinegar for a variety of household cleaning jobs. Click here to see and list and how-tos.

It is great for laundry too. Clothes will rinse better if 1 cup of white distilled vinegar is added to the last rinse water. The acid in vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, but strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. For more laundry tips click here.

And of course there are pickles!!! Yummy!!

Bread and Butter Refrigerator Pickles

(Thanks Shirley)

Sliced pickles & onions

Brine:

1 cup sugar

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Celery seed

Combine all brine ingredients and bring to a boil. Layer cucumbers and onions in a jar. Pour brine over cuc's and onions and refrigerator for at least on hour. Best if you wait over night.

I LOVE these pickles!!! YUMMY!!!