Spending Fast Week 1

I am so happy I made it through the first week. Honestly, it was hard. I hope this gets easier. How was your week Lauren? Lorraine?

I went to a fabric store yesterday. Playing with fire, I know. I went with a friend of mine to help her pick fabric for a dress that we're making. This dress, actually. It is my favorite Columbus fabric store. They are celebrating their 2 year anniversary and had tons of fabrics 20% to 50% off. That was by far the hardest part of the week.

Groceries
I went grocery shopping for the week on Monday. I took a calculator with me and just dialed in $50 and subtracted each item as I put it in the cart. That was hard when I got to produce, but I just estimated. I ended up spending $33.86! Can you believe it? I was shocked. I tried really hard to use the food already in our cupboards and veggie drawer in the fridge. I think the first week will be the easiest since I have the most food in my cupboards to choose from. To answer Madeline's question, I don't have a super well stocked pantry. In fact, since I knew I would only be in Columbus for a year I purposely didn't stock up. I hate moving food. So, I do have some, but nothing compared to most people.

I needed walnuts for the delish recipe this week, so I went back to the store and impulse bought a box of Cheerios. So, add another $5.34. Final grocery total for the week: $39.20.

I've decided the money can't roll over from week to week. Once the week is over I get a new $50 allowance and that's it. So, it will be harder as the month goes on and my pantry decreases.

Week 1 Menu
Monday: Salmon Pesto (leftover pesto served over Salmon and rice. Delicious, easy and cheap)
Tuesday: Dinner at the Judge's house
Wednesday: Leftover Salmon Pesto
Thursday: Chicken Curry over Rice
Friday: Leftover Chicken Curry
Saturday: Ann's One Pot Potato Soup (I doubled the recipe and froze half for later in the month. This is our favorite soup recipe)
Sunday: Leftover Potato Soup

I'm still looking for cheap but tasty recipes. Please tell me your favorites.

Cinnamon Rolls and Buttercream Frosting

Janeal's Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups hot water
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cut oil
2 eggs
2 1/2 tablespoons yeast
6-7 cups flour

2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup cinnamon and sugar mixed
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Mix water, 3/4 cup brown sugar, salt and oil. Add eggs and mix well. Let it rise for 15 minutes. Add flour until dough is sticky. Spray mixing bowl and top of dough with spray oil, cover and place in fridge overnight.

Divide dough in half and roll into a rectangle. Spread soft butter over all of the dough. Cover with brown sugar, then cinnamon and sugar. Add raisins and or walnuts if desired. Roll dough from one side so you have a long tube. Use dental floss to cut log into 1.5 inch pieces. Place in pan one inch apart. Let them rise for 2.5 - 3 hours. Bake each pan for 13-15 minutes in 350 degree oven. Wait 10-15 minutes and frost.

Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening

2 tablespoons soft unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pound strained confectioners' sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl, cream together shortening and butter on medium-low speed until completely blended.  Stir the salt into the confectioners' sugar.  Add the sugar alternately with the milk to the shortening / butter mixture.  Starting with the sugar add four parts sugar to four parts milk.  Mix together until smooth, but do not overmix.  Blend in the vanilla.  Spread over cinnamon rolls.