False Alarm

Well, I went home last night ready to buy a new microwave. When I got home, I noticed the clock on the microwave was blinking. Once I set it, the microwave worked again. I guess, you cannot start the microwave without setting the clock first. B felt pretty silly :) In any case, I'm happy that I don't have to dish out $150 for a new microwave this month. I'll just budget it in for February!

Looking at the Positive

Happy New Year!!!

This year I'm going to have a more positive outlook on life. Let me start now: B has a birthday this week, so I already knew I'd be spending money on dinner and a gift. I was ready for that. Today, I was informed my microwave oven of 25 years (yes, 25 years)died. Of course, it lived a very long life and it was time to "retire" it. So, although I'll be shelling out approximately $150 in a month that was already spendy and I'm trying to make up for the ridiculous December month I had, I am grateful I HAVE the money to buy a new microwave. Yes, even if I do have to pay less into savings this month, I still have the dinero to buy an appliance that will heat my spaghetti and meatballs in record time! :)

Chicken Pillows

I've barely cooked the past couple of weeks. I still make menu plans and I go shopping, but I just haven't cooked much. It's gotten to the point where I have no idea WHERE to go for dinner because I'm all burnt out on the food in the neighborhood. Yesterday, I decided no matter how much I may not want to, I was going to cook.

I made chicken pillows and although very easy, they are very delicious!

1 8oz. of cream cheese -- softened (I used non fat)
1 large cooked boneless skinless chicken breast -- diced (I poached my chicken)
1 seeded jalapeno -- chopped
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tube of crescent rolls
2 Tbsp. butter -- melted
salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl, stir the cream cheese, jalapeno, cooked chicken, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Stir until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. Roll out the crescent rolls. The one I used made eight rolls (this will make 4 squares). Seal the seams of two triangles to create a square. Make sure they are sealed well so the mixture won't leak out. Add a few tablespoons of chicken mixture to the center of each square. Fold up the corners so it creates a purse. The mixture should be totally enclosed in the dough. Placed on a cookie sheet. Brush the top of each pillow with a bit of butter and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

I served this with a gravy made with cream of chicken soup and a gravy packet. Sounds gross, but it is delicious!

Just dump a can of cream of chicken soup (I used fat free) into a pot and then dump in a packet of gravy mix. Add about 3/4 of a soup can of water. Whisk until all combined and smooth and warm through.

Pour the gravy on the hot pillows and enjoy! Really good and really easy!!

Menu Plan 12/19 - 12/23

This is a short week. It's also a busy week, so I have no idea how often I'll be cooking and how often I'll be visiting our favorite restaurants.

Monday:
Dinner: Turkey Sandwiches (ate tacos instead)

Tuesday:
Dinner: Black beans and rice (I have a ton of presents to wrap, so who knows if this will happen)

Wednesday:
Dinner: Soup (Most likely won't be homemade and will include whatever carton I have in the pantry)

Thursday:
Dinner: Chicken pillows with salad

Friday:
Dinner: Sheppard's Pie

Overwhelmed

I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed with all that I have to do. My apartment needs to be cleaned. There seems to be clutter everywhere!! I need to start wrapping and organizing holiday gifts. I need to start my baking projects. I have a crapload of stuff to do in the next week or so and when I come home from work, all I want to do is get in bed and take a long deep nap.

Menu Plan 12/12 - 12/17

Monday:
Dinner: Chicken and Rice soup

Tuesday:
Dinner: Spaghetti

Wednesday:
Dinner: Black Bean Soup

Thursday:
Dinner: Black Beans and Rice

Friday:
Dinner: Tomato Soup

Saturday:
Dinner: Vada Sambar

Crazy Spending

I totally blew the budget last month. Totally. Blew. It. Thank God, it's a new month!