Someday A Goat

2011 Cookfest One: Apple Butter

On Sunday, I peeled, cored and sectioned 6 pounds of apples by hand. It took much longer than I thought, but I had apple butter on the agenda.

I followed Money Saving Mom's crockpot apple butter recipe, but for the intial apple cook-down, only used 1 tablespoon of vanilla, which was plenty.

 

After about 3 hours of cooking, the apples started to go down in volume.

 

After 7.5 hours of cooking, it was time to add the sugar and spices. I only added 1 cup of turbinado sugar (1/2 cup less than recipe), and the butter was still too sweet with the variety of apples I used (Sweet Tango and Winesap). Left out the cloves, and only added a scant 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Next batch is getting some kosher salt, and perhaps something a little spicy.

2011 Cookfest One: Butternut Squash

I kicked off 2011 Cookfest One on Friday night, roasting the butternut squash. I used Once a Month Mom's method -- it worked perfectly fine, although with the convection oven it cooked maybe a little too long. I just mashed with a fork and portioned for storage. I yielded 4 cups and change from a regular-sized butternut squash.

Prepping the squash to cook.

Immediate plans for said squash:

- butternut squash risotto

- butternut cornbread muffins - Publix recipe that I don't see online yet

- harvest pancakes

Husband isn't sure how well he likes butternut squash, so we'll see if it becomes a staple.

Roasted squash.

2011 Cookfest One main post

2011 Cookfest One

Stock pot with chicken and lovely trivet, halfway through filling with water.

Besides a birthday party Saturday night, we had a blissfully unscheduled weekend. The freezer is almost empty and I've felt out of sorts for weeks, but we had a cooking and yard-work filled weekend; now everything is a bit better.

All told, we:

• cleared acorns. It's our second bumper crop year in this house. Removing untold number of acorns is pretty heavy physical labor, done almost entirely by husband. I set some aside to make acorn flour. If I can get them cracked and cooked in the next few days, it's a success.

• roasted butternut squash. I now have some stowed in the freezer for those tasty fall recipes that call for squash.

• made chicken stock. We have stock leftover from summer, but it was time for a new batch, and we also need precooked chicken for easy weeknight dinners. This one is potent. I've made many stocks over the years, and the Le Creuset cast iron trivet has made it so much easier, it was a gift from my in-laws a year or two ago. Any food-safe cast iron trivet should work just the same. I layer vegetables under the meat, and the trivet easily holds both layers down, making it easy to skim the stock while cooking.

• rendered lard. The jar of rendered lard cooling on the counter, I swear it looked as if it were filled with lemonade. Husband is going to post about the project later this week.

• made apple butter. I've been missing apple butter for the better part of a decade, I don't know why I stopped buying it. Well, now I've made it.

• chopped veggie snacks for me to take to work.

My big kitchen focus for fall is baking bread, but first I needed to get a batch of stock out of the way. Now that it's done, this week I'll be prepping dough to cook over the weekend.

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Saving on Sunday

I scored some really great deals on Sunday, and inspired by Money Saving Mom's Super Saving Saturday series, I decided that a post was in order. Also in order? A new camera. Our 2003 model camera is just not taking great pictures anymore, especially since we lost our fantastic tiny tripod somewhere in the last few months. Maybe Santa will surprise me. 

I also used a coupon for a free car wash with an emissions test. My registration renews this month, so the car wash is a nice $13 bonus as an emission test is required.

First stop: Publix

Mainly because I really needed a fountain soda for my big errand run. Plus, double papers go fast at our Publix, so I try to go early to pick one up and check out the penny coupon. 

Spent $17.56
Saved $19.59

sale items

• Muellers Pasta: 2 boxes bowties 12 oz; 2 boxes sea shells 16 oz $1.29 regular price each, paid $0.38 each (BOGO store sale, $0.55/2 manufacturer's coupon)
• 2 Emerald mixed nut 10 oz $5.79 regular price, paid $2.90 each (BOGO)
• Peter Pan whipped 13 oz  $2.47 regular price, paid $0.01 (penny coupon -- we usually use Jif, but for a penny, this is going to my work food stash)
• 2 Dove Ultimate Clear visibly smooth 2.6 oz $4.49 regular price, paid $0.65 each (store sale $1.70 off each, BOGO Publix coupon, $1.50/2 manufacturer's coupon)

needed despite price

• yellow onion 0.66 lb $0.65 -- for the chicken stock I made last night. We had everything else.
• baguette 8.5 oz $1.19 -- for dinner, we already had broccoli and chicken breast at the house.
• Sunbeam Old Fashioned 20 oz $2.69
• double paper $2.36
• fountain soda $1.29

Second stop: CVS

Spent 1.64
Saved 2.90

• Colgate Total Advanced Fresh paste 5.8 oz $4.39 regular price, paid $1.49 ($1.40 off store sale, used $0.50 ECB, $1.00 manufacturer's coupon). I received a $1.00 ECB for this transaction that I'll use on something we need in the next few weeks.

Third stop: Kroger

Spent $10.77
Saved $19.24

sale items

• 3 Kleenex 130-count Aloe & E tissues $2.19 regular price each, paid $0.66 each (store sale $0.70 off each, $0.50 off each from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $0.50/3 manufacturer's doubled
• 2 Zesta Crackers 16 oz $3.19 regular price each, paid $0.99 each ($1.70 store sale off each, $0.50 off each from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion)
• YoPlus blackberry & pomegrante 4 cups, 16 oz total $2.49 regular price, paid $0.49 ($0.50 off store sale, $0.50 off from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $1.00 manufacturer's coupon)
• Reynolds parchment paper 30 SF $2.99 regular price, paid $1.29 ($0.20 off store sale, $0.50 off from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $1.00 manufacturer's coupon)
• 2 Bic Soleil Twilight 3-blade razors 4 count $4.59 regular price, overage of -$0.70 each (BOGO store sale, $3 manufacturer's coupon each)
• Colgate Advanced Clean gel 5.8 oz $3.85 regular price, paid $1.50 ($0.85 off store sale, $0.50 off  from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $1.00 manufacturer's coupon)
• Chapstick 0.15 oz $1.59 regular price, paid $0.50 ($0.59 off store sale, $0.50 off from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion)
• Cheez-Its 9 oz $2.99 regular price, paid $0.24 ($1.50 off store sale, $0.50 off from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $0.75 manufacturer's coupon)

needed despite price

• Tropicana OJ Homestyle 64 oz $2.89
• onion 0.51 lb, $0.51 (dropped other one in parking lot, need one not to peel, we'll use the first one in something that requires onion sans skin)

Fourth stop: Walgreens

Spent 1.52
Saved 16.89

• 2 Almay One Coat mascara 0.4 oz $6.99 regular price each, overage of -$1.00 each (Wcoupon BOGO, 2 IVC $4.00 each)
• Cottonelle fresh wipes 42 count $3.89 regular price, paid $1.99 (Wcoupon $1.90 off -- couldn't use a manufacturer's coupon on this because I had so much overage on the mascara, and you have to pay all sales tax. No complaints here!)

Technically on Saturday: Ulta

I received a coupon for 20% off entire purchase in the mail, better than the 20% off single item that comes in the paper, so I headed to pick up some of my favorite lotion and some facewash. I ended up snagging some nail polish along the way -- I absolutely love the color.

Spent $28.40
Saved $10.70

Neutrogena Deep Clean 6.7 oz $6.49 regular price
Korres basil lemon body milk 8.45 oz $15.00 regular price
2 Essie Mademoiselle nail polish 0.5 oz $8.00 each (one bottle for a girlfriend that also really likes it, and they were having a buy one, get one 50% off, so it's a small saving on a splurge)

- 4.00 Essie buy one get one 50% off
- 6.70 20% off coupon

(all prices do not include tax, except total purchase price, and some store's regular pricing is less than realistic, take the overall "saved" numbers with a grain of salt)

On sale this week

Some of the Atlanta-area sales that I'm thinking about. I still need to compare some of these sales with my price book before I follow through. The sales below are not a complete list of sales for each store, but rather just what I have my eye on for one reason or another.

Kroger through 31 January 2009
avocados 10/10.00
French's mustard 1.69 (C)
Goldfish crackers 1.59 MM
Garden' of Eatin chips 2/5.00 (C)
Tennessee Pride roll sausage 2/5.00 (C)
Tropicana OJ 2.99 (C) MM -- Another week of sale on this item, although we have 3 unopened containers in the fridge already. We'll see what the stock looks like toward the end of the week, we have tons more 1.00/2 coupons, and this week it's a Kroger Mix & Match item.
** Kraft cheese assorted varieties 1.99 MM
Daisy sour cream 16 oz 1.99 MM
Edge 7 oz 2/4.00
Revlon & Almay full line sale 50% off (C) -- I need some brown mascara, so I might check out the prices with coupon.

Walgreens through 31 January 2009
** Quilted Northern 12 double roll 6.49 Wcoupon (C)
Reynolds foil 25 SF or Walgreens wax paper 75SF 0.89 Wcoupon
Dove deodorant 2.6 oz 1.99 Wcoupon (C)
Edge 7 oz 1.99 Wcoupon
Mach 3 8 pack razor blades 16.99
rubber gloves 120 pack (vinyl latex or nitrile) $5 off
Carefee pantiliners 22 pack 0.99 Wcoupon
Puffs facial tissue 60, 72 or 108 tissues 0.89 Wcoupon (0.25 C)
0.10 digital prints WCoupon

CVS through 31 January 2009
Windex 2/5.00 (C)
John Frieda B1G50%

Target through 31 January 2009
clearance selected sheet sets -- Check in store to see if bamboo sheets are included, we love the set we already have.
C9 petite workout pants (28.5" inseam) 17.99
John Frieda 10% off
Jif selected varieties 2.00 (C)

Other

Rite Aid through 31 January
Natures Valley, and Kashi snack bars 2/5.00 (C)

Kohl's through 31 January
all men's dress, casual and athletic socks B1G50%

JoAnn Fabrics through 31 January
50% off all package batting -- I'm in the middle of a couple of quilts, so this might be a smart buy for me.

Key

** Definitely need to check out

B1G1 Buy 1 get 1

(C) Also have manufacturer's coupon

Wcoupon Walgreens coupon

ECB Extra Care Bucks from CVS

MM Mix n Match at Kroger

On sale until Wednesday at Publix

Atlanta-area Publix sales I have my eye on. Need to compare against price book, and see what coupons arrived Sunday. I have to say, this is probably the shortest sales list that I have ever made for Publix. I'm hoping some good Advantage Buy deals and/or coupons are coming up.

Publix Thur 1/22/09 - Wed 1/28/09

** Oscar Meyer sliced bacon 2/3.00

** Florida vegetables (green beans, eggplant, green bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini) 1.29/lb
vine-ripened tomatoes 0.99/lb

** Cabot cheddar cheese 2/5.00 -- I just realized last week that between the two of us, we go through 2 lbs of cheddar cheese a month. That does not include other cheeses either. That's a lot of cheddar! 
** Land o Lakes butter 2/6.00 -- We have a decent stock right now, but if a coupon comes out on Sunday I will be jumping on this.
Sargento sliced cheese 5-8 oz 2/6.00 -- I think I have a coupon, so I'll have to check that out. Sliced cheese is often a lifesaver at work (aka the land of no sharp knives).

** Glad trash bags 5.99 -- We just opened our last box, so the timing is perfect. I'm going to hold off, though and see if there are any coupons in Sunday's paper. 

Key

** Definitely need to check out

Please note that this is not a complete list of sales for Publix. It is simply the sales of interest for me, I hope you find it useful as well. Check out the Atlanta-area sales page for other deals I'm looking at this week. 

On sale until Wednesday at Publix

Atlanta-area Publix sales I have my eye on. Need to compare against price book, and see what coupons arrived Sunday.

Publix Thur 1/15/09 - Wed 1/21/09

Boston butt roast 1.79/lb
pork spareribs 1.99/lb
ground round 2.99/lb
**Hebrew National all beef franks B1G1 -- might be a coupon on Sunday...
** split chicken breasts 1.69/lb

Publix salad blends B1G1
**NW apples 1.29/lb
** Tropicana orange juice 2/6.00

Del Monte fresh cut canned veggies B1G1
Mott's Apple Juice B1G1
Mott's Apple Sauce 3/5.00
Smuckers Preserves B1G1
**Hellmann's Mayo 30 oz B1G1
**Pompeian Olive Oil B1G1

Mueller's Pasta assorted varieties B1G1
Thomas English muffins 12 oz B1G1
Arnold bread assorted varieties 24 oz 2/5.00

Publix sour cream 16 oz 0.99
Sorrento ricotta cheese 32 oz 2/6.00
**kraft cracker barrel cheese slices 2.69 -- these are a life save at work
Sorrento shredded cheese or sunbursts 2/4.00

Edy's ice cream 2/7.00
** Green Giant frozen veggies assorted varieties 10/10.00
** Whole Fruit sorbet B1G1
** Birds Eye Steamfresh Meals for 2 4.99 (C)
** Kashi pizza and pocket bread 50% off

** Purex 100 oz 5.99
Kleenex Viva 1-roll package 1.79 (C?) -- may be worth it if coupon can be doubled
Puffs plus with aloe or advanced extra strength 60-ct 1.29 (0.25C)

GE Energy Smart CFL bulbs, win pack for several different wattages. 4.99 (1.00C)-- This price is basically the same as the B1G1 price paid at Target last week. Still probably a good deal, but the regular price on a twin pack of CFLs was $9.14. Publix lists the savings on this sale as up to $0.90, so I think it's a case of "value pack savings" at Target, which end up being a bad deal.
Publix rubbing alcolhol 32 oz 2/3.00

Key

** Definitely need to check out

B1G1 Buy 1 get 1

(C) Also have manufacturer's coupon

Please note that this is not a complete list of sales for Publix. It is simply the sales of interest for me, I hope you find it useful as well.

On sale until Wednesday at Publix

Atlanta-area Publix sales I have my eye on. Need to compare against price book, and see what coupons arrived Sunday.

Publix Thur 1/8/09 - Wed 1/14/09

**boneless skinless chicken breast 1.99/lb
Smithfield bacon B1G1
**ground chuck 2.69/lb
chicken leg quarters 0.59/lb -- can always throw these into stock

Fresh Express salad blends 2/5.00
**NW apples 1.29/lb
Idaho potatoes 0.79/lb
**blackberries 5.6 oz 1.29

Campbell's Select Harvest soup B1G1 (C)
Del Monte tomatoes B1G1

**Betty Crocker snacks B1G1 (C)

Pepperidge Farm whole grain bread 24 oz 2/5.00 (C)
Pillsbury Grands biscuits 4/5.00 (C)

**Quilted Northern 12 double roll 6.49 -- glad I just bought toilet paper early this week... If there's a coupon on Sunday, I'll definitely be picking some more TP up.

Key

** Definitely need to check out

B1G1 Buy 1 get 1

(C) Also have manufacturer's coupon

Please note that this is not a complete list of sales for Publix. It is simply the sales of interest for me, I hope you find it useful as well.

On sale until Wednesday at Publix

Atlanta-area Publix sales I have my eye on. Need to compare against price book, and see what coupons arrived today.

Publix Thur 11/13/08 - Wed 11/19/08

** Publix whole chicken 0.99/lb -- not quite as good as the occasional 79c or 89c a pound price, but it's still a great deal and even better since I had planned on making chicken stock this weekend regardless. We only have one chicken left in the deep freeze.
center cut pork rib chops 3.49/lb
Boston butt roast 1.59/lb

Bartlett pears 0.99/lb
asparagus 2.49/lb -- it hasn't been looking good enough to jump on a sale price, but we'll see
red globe grapes 1.49/lb
granny smith apples 2.99/3 lb bag
blackberries 5.6 oz package 2/5.00

** french hamburger buns 8 ct 2.79
Thomas english muffins B1G1

** Cabot Vermont cheddar 2/5.00
Boar's Head provolone from deli 7.59/lb
deli spinach & artichoke dip 5.49/1-lb package
Publix sour cream 16 oz B1G1
Publix sweet cream butter 2.29

** Green Giant frozen veggies assorted varities 10/10.00 (C)

** Progresso soup 4/6.00 (C)
** Crisco imported EV olive oil 16.9 oz B1G1 (C) -- since I have a pretty good coupon, I'll be buying this as long as it is cold pressed
** Celestial Seasonings tea 20 bags B1G1 (C) -- I want to see if my husband has any flavor requests before I grab this one
Mott's apple juice 64 oz 3/6.00
Cheez-It crackers 16 oz B1G1
Betty Crocker frosting B1G1 (C)
** Hefty EZ Ovenware casserole pans B1G1 (C)
** Cascade 75 oz 4.29 (C) -- about to run out of this
** Fresh Step 28 lb 10.99 -- we just ran out, so this is great
** Kingsford 18 lb 6.99 -- with the amount of burgers that we have, one could never have too much charcoal
** Ziploc containers 2/5.00 (C) -- need to get some additional smaller containers for chicken stock

Key

** Definitely need to check out

B1G1 Buy 1 get 1

(C) Also have manufacturer's coupon

Please note that this is not a complete list of sales for Publix. It is simply the sales of interest for me, I hope you find it useful as well.

On sale this week

Some of the Atlanta-area sales that I'm thinking about. I still need to compare some of these sales with my price book before I follow through.

 CVS Sun 11/09/08 - Sat 11/15/08
** Colgate total 4.2 oz B2.29G1 (C)
** Arm & Hammer Ultramax deodorent B1G1
** All Rimmel mascara 6.99 (C, 4.00 ECB)
Prilosec 42 ct 24.77 (C)

Target Sun 11/09/08 - Sat 11/15/08
C9 petite performance pants 19.99 -- might they be short enough? At 28.5 inch inseam, they just might!!
California Pizza Kitchen 5.25 (C)
Maybelline Colossal Volum' express mascara 4.99 (C)

Rite Aid Sun 11/09/08 - Sat 11/15/08
Revlon eye shadow, eye liner or mascara selection varies by store 3.99 (C) --still haven't picked up any mascara

Walgreens Sun 11/09/08 - Sat 11/15/08
**Jif PB 18 oz 3/5.00 Wcoupon (C)--only if they have the Simply Jif in stock
Carnation evaporated milk 12 oz 0.99 Wcoupon (C)
**Carefree 18 or 22 pack 0.99 Wcoupon (C)
Prilosec OTC 42 ct 25.99 WCoupon (C)

Kroger Sun 11/09/08 - Sat 11/15/08
gala apples 10 lb/10.00
anjou pears 10 lb/10.00
kroger mini peeled carrots 16 oz 10/10.00
jumbo sweet onions 10 lb/10.00
avocados 10/10.00
** Carnation evaporated milk 12 oz 1.00 (C) MM
** Stouffer's red box entrees selected varieties 6-21 oz 2.00 (C)
** Land o Lakes butter 16 oz 2.50 (C) MM
** Simply Orange juice 59 oz 3.00 (C) MM
Jimmy Dean roll sausage 12-16 oz 2/5.00 (C)
** Smithfield bacon 16 oz B1G1 (C)
ground round 2.99/lb
** Betty Crocker snacks 1/2.00 (C) MM
** Nestle morsels  2.50 (C) MM
** Domino sugar 5 lb 2.50 (C) MM
** Pam cooking spray 2.50 MM
** Cover Girl full line 25% off

Key

** Definitely need to check out

B1G1 Buy 1 get 1

(C) Also have manufacturer's coupon

Wcoupon Walgreens coupon

ECB Extra Care Bucks from CVS

MM Mix n Match at Kroger--buy 10 participating items, get $5 off total order (limit three per transaction)

Please note that this is not a complete list of sales for these stores. It is simply the sales of interest for me, I hope you find it useful as well.