SPENDING FREEZE!!!! The Plan....

For the month of November, some of The Hungry Housewives are doing a "Spending Freeze".  It's based on the theory that if you do something for 30 days, it becomes a habit which in this case means that if you don't frivolously spend for a month, you will be "cured" from excessive spending.  Which will -over the long term- improve your budget.


When I've told people what we are doing, comments range from "I ALREADY DO THAT!" (though I'm sure they don't to the extent they think they do) to "my husband would NEVER agree to it!".  So I challenge you to this:  IF you feel like you "already do this", keep the Freeze in the back of your mind and maybe you'll make even smarter decisions.  And if you're partner doesn't want to participate...that doesn't mean that YOU can't!


Here's how we're going to do this:


First of all, NO spending except groceries and bills.  Any other exceptions to this are up to you...it's your money!


Kids:  My youngest just started pre-kindergarten.  If he is invited to a birthday party, OF COURSE I want to help him make new friends so I'll let him buy a present so he can attend.  On the other hand, I have a 12 & 16 year old who understand what we're doing so I won't extend as much leeway.  


Black Friday:  For you die-hard-fanatics out there...DON'T MAKE THIS ONE DAY AN EXCUSE TO NOT PARTICIPATE!  Do what's best for you (though I MUST say that the sales are not all that wonderful- there will be more in December!).  This is the day my daughter and I traditionally buy our designer purses so if she wants to go (she has a job), I'll take her around but since I have a couple of bags still with the tags on them, I'm sure I'll survive....at least until the after-Christmas-sales.  


Friends:  This is the time for invitations to start rolling in.  When you're invited to a candle or other home-based party- ATTEND.  The hostess would rather you show up as a warm body instead of not going...but I'm sure her and the consultant won't appreciate you pushing the spending freeze to others so keep it on the down lo' ;)  
When invited to a get-together, you probably have an unopened something around the house to use for a hostess gift, and most people have ingredients in the cupboards to cook without buying a prepared dish so take the time to make something.
Also, if you and your girlfriends chat over coffee at Starbucks, invite her over to your house for some home brew, or go for a walk together instead.  You'll be saving money and burning calories!


Thanksgiving Company: If you have family coming to visit, give yourself a pass on those days BUT don't forget all the free/low cost things to do out there.  Laughing over a board game is more fun then sitting silently at the movies and it doesn't cost a thing.  Plus, Thanksgiving dinner IS considered part of groceries.


Unexpected Events/Entertainment:  Most of us go to things we really don't want to go to.   IF something pops up, really, really think hard about how important going is to you before you make your decision.  Is it something that will wait a couple weeks?  
If you have something planned already- GO.  My friend and I purchased theater tickets months ago and there is NO way we are skipping out on dinner beforehand (plus the parking fee) so we are planning this now.  Also, my hubby works hard and doesn't get to hang out with the guys often.  I wouldn't think of asking him to give up his once-a-month poker night!


Eating Out:  Some of you may consider dining out as part of your grocery budget but be honest...you know that's not true!  If you are running around and need to eat, eat.  It's like being on a diet- just because you have a candy bar doesn't mean you'll stuff your face the rest of the month so eat out, then get back on the spending freeze horse.  On the other hand, if you are on your way home, I'm sure you'll be fine a little while longer.  To be on the safe side, carry a granola bar and water bottle in your purse/car.  


Groceries:  Though we said that buying groceries is one of your allotted spending items, why don't you try to see what's the lowest you can spend?  Go through your checkbook/online banking and see how many grocery stops, Costco trips, etc you did last month and make it a goal to cut that amount.  This is the perfect chance to get into the habit of using coupons (Queen Bee Coupons is a great web-site to get you started).  Plus, clipping coupons is FREE entertainment LOL.


If the Spending Freeze is something you're unsure about, or you don't really NEED to do (you're a rare person indeed), give it a try! At the very least, you'll have stockpiled some cash to go Christmas shopping in December :)  I'll keep you posted on our journey.  Here's hoping it's a breeze! (knock on wood).

Eatin' Out 'N' About at Hop Jacks ~ Bonney Lake, WA

Hop Jacks but couldn't find on Facebook
21290 Hwy 410 Bonney Lake, WA
I've been here a few times for dates, family dinner and a birthday celebration but for this trip, my friend Dawn and I were just out lunchin'.  Hop Jacks (name based on the hops used for making beer) is 1/2 family seating area and 1/2 bar which is separated by this cool metal art (sorry no photo- only had my camera phone!). 

I just get a water but Dawn orders the Hand Shaken Bloody Jack...Oops Mary.  The green bean was limp and tasted canned and she said it didn't taste that good (personally, Bloody Marys remind me of shrimp dipping sauce so yuck anyways!).

We have a hard time deciding what to get but settle on splitting the California Turkey Sandwich (mainly because it was one of the few sandwiches NOT on a ciabatta roll!) and each having French Onion soup.  I was bummed about my soup....the top was overly cooked making the entire soup soooo hot, it was hard to eat even AFTER I had finished my sandwich!  Also, I wish it had came with croutons instead of the oyster crackers.

Loved, loved, loved my sandwich that we shared!!!  First off, it was SO BIG (that's what she said! haha) and it tasted super yummy.  The bacon (oh, who doesn't love bacon!) were these nice thick slices and the turkey was very generous.  Described as "Roasted Turkey with bacon, provolone cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pesto may on thick 9 grain bread" and came with your choice of chips, fries, fresh fruit, or salad.  Only bad thing I can say is that the avocado was a little sparse and a tad over ripe but I will be ordering this again!!!

Recipes- Card Making Brunch

While the husbands are away.....the wives will.....






craft?




Seems to be our tradition that whenever our hubbies are out of town on business or otherwise, we use that time to get together to scrap or stamp.  If I'm given consecutive DAYS, I'll possibly get something done but these one day-ers mean I will leave not finishing anything LOL.  Thats OK with me because the conversation is a form of therapy....though a lot cheaper ;) My friend Heather hosted today and -besides the company- the best part is getting to eat!!!

Since I had to wait for the littlest to wake up, I was later to Heather's than I was hoping but when I got there, I was treated to coffee, muffins and candy (OH!  Orange Slices remind me of my late Grandpa Hawkins!).

For lunch, we started off with a yummy, yummy salad with our choice of dressings.  Then Heather dished up some deli potato soup and served with a side bread warmed in the oven.

Card Making Brunch Menu

Fall Pumpkin Muffins
Follow the directions for any muffin mix (pumpkin in this case) but when filling muffin cups, add a dollop of cream cheese then bake as directed.

Heather's Salad

Spinach

Lettuce

Tomatoes- sliced into thin wedges

Carrots- shredded

Craisins

Walnuts- chopped

Hard Boiled Eggs- sliced

Toss all together and serve with your choice of dressing

Bread and soup were a total delicious cheat...which is the best way!  Make sure to get items fresh from the grocery deli and warm using the stove instead of a microwave for a home-baked taste.

Thank you Heather!!!

A Borrower Of Books- The School Of Essential Ingredients

As a constant reader, I don't know how I married somebody who doesn't read.  Oh, he can hunt for a car for HOURS on Craigslist but I don't think I've ever seen him crack a book besides the bible.  In fact, in high school, I remember watching Grapes Of Wrath together and then I had to tell him what the movie left out!


So since he doesn't have a love of books, he cannot comprehend what my fascination is with the written word.  Which means...that he doesn't see a need for purchasing books when we live within walking distance of a library!  This is why I'll always be a "Borrower Of Books" instead of an owner - with the exception of gifts from friends or paperback novels I can sneak out of garage sales.  Thankfully we live in an area with a great library, and there are amazing authors that live around us.

My first book that I'm highlighting is The School Of Essential Ingredients by Seattle author Erica Bauermeister.  I mentioned this awhile back on our Facebook Page and it still keeps popping up in my head.  YES- for everyday reading I DO read the historical romances (it's an addiction) but I was drawn to the title and the idea of it being about a cooking class which is something I've always wanted to do.


This book tells the story of each person that is attending the class.  The main character throughout is Lillian that owns the restaurant (and is the teacher).  I just love her style of cooking!  She doesn't use recipes but focused on how you FELT the food should be.  In fact, her cooking was a key role in her later years growing up.  The way she talks, it makes me feel like I would have NO problem cooking a live crab!!!!!  Which, considering I do NOT touch raw meat, is a big deal!


Throughout the whole thing, though, Lillian remains a mystery so the rest of the characters end up being the meat of the story.  I found something to relate to with each of them ...which I don't want to say in case I give anything away!  There is a new mom, somebody who has suffered a loss, an Italian adjusting to being in America, an older couple, and a young girl trying to figure out who she is.


I think this would be a great book for any book club.  It's not very long (just 272 pages) and there is so many themes that you can talk about (the book link has a page for book clubs).  Plus, who doesn't like a book about food??????????? 

Friday Flick- My top picks for Julie Andrews

October 1st is Julie Andrews birthday who is one of my FAVorite entertainers. To honor her, I couldn't just pick one movie for today so I thought I'd highlight my top choices:

OF COURSE everybody loves Sound Of Music and Mary Poppins- that goes without saying!


Victor Victoria

Golden Globe Award for Best Actress- Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and Nominated for Academy Award for Best Actress

Any musical is a good but there's lots of controversy here!  Sexual identity is at the core of this movie, and it involves lots of mix ups and misunderstandings.  James Garner is one of my fav classic male characters (he's also in my hubby's #1 movie Maverick).  

Throughly Modern Millie

Nominated for  seven Academy Awards and five Golden Globes.  

Is about a girl that decides she wants to marry her boss and all the craziness around that (co-starring Mary Tyler Moore so that's expected).  Set during the Flapper Era, there are lots of fun songs and a streak of criminal activity!

So now I think I'm going to look into a few I seemed to miss:

1. Hitchcock thriller Tom Curtain  (A Hitchcock I haven't seen??? Not sure if that's right)
2. Hawaii which was the highest grossing movie of 1966
3. Darling Lili was nominated for Golden Globe Best Actress and Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
4. The Americanization Of Emily- both James Garner and Andrew considered it their favorite film they appeared in