Country Breakfast Casserole Recipe

This post disappeared in the Big Blogger Botch Up of 2011.

In a large shallow casserole dish lay out 8 hash browns in a single layer.  Cover with 150 g of mince cooked with a diced onion and 150 g of browned diced bacon.  Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of grated cheese.

Mix together 6 eggs and 2 cups  of milk and pour over cheese.  The dish can be put in the fridge overnight.  In the morning bring out to warm up as the oven heats to 180 deg C.  Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the mixture is set in the middle.  Serves 8


I have varied this by using cooked potato slices instead of the hash browns, and have another time flavoured the mince with Mexican seasoning.   It still disappeared.  Of course, that could be due to having 5 males in this house!  :)

Best wishes
Jen

Grocery breakdown 14 May

This week's grocery breakdown relates to Week 4 minus the roast.  Thankfully dh could see my stress levels rising as I got to the end of the supermarket for meat and produce.  He let his favourite meal go and we have substituted a soup or two.  Pumpkins were less than $1/kg so pumpkin soup will definitely be on the menu this week.

Fresh Produce $55.48
Dairy Products $28.79
Frozen Goods $7.98
Meat $24.55
Bread $5.00
Pantry Items $67.16
Bath and Baby $0
Dog $0
Treats $0

Spent at supermarket $188.96

I also did an early morning trip to my local Steggles outlet and bought 6 kg of thigh fillets for $36.80, 10 twin packs of Sweet Chilli Chicken wraps at $2 each (normal supermarket price approx. $8) and 2 1 kg bags of chicken bites similar to KFC chicken for $8.50 each.  Total $73.80

Total spend: $262.76

The chicken will last quite a while which is good, but the freezer is still very low.  It is not normally as empty as it is now but I would like to defrost it soon.

We have been planting out lots of seedlings and now that dh has shown a willingness to try more soups I can see our budget going down over the course of the year.  I also look forward to having chickens when spring comes around again.

Best wishes
Jen

Homeschool Mother's Journal 14 May

In my life this week…
We stayed home a lot and got lots of school done.  The kitchen did eventually get sorted after my sore shoulder of last week but I still need to tackle the mountain of clean laundry in my back room.  Menu planning went well despite a squashed smashed sort of squishy budget.

In our homeschool this week…
We had a fairly good school week.  While we didn't get everything done that I had planned we did get a lot done.  My two younger readers are doing very well.  Amazing how a little playing on phonics games over the Easter break can really help cement things.  We are waiting on new maths workbooks for 2 children though as I had to order them from NZ.  I really need to plan further ahead for these so I can order them from an Australian supplier.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
We didn't go anywhere much last week.  Wednesday was my day out with gymnastics for my 2 year old in the morning and woodworking for the 3 older kids in the afternoon.  They are making wooden swords and so far have used a handsaw, done some planing and used a chisel.  No loss of fingers TG so far!  Touch wood!

My favorite thing this week was…
I am very grateful to know that this year my hot water service will have enough hot water for dishes, baths and showers.  Yay!

What’s working/not working for us…
What isn't working is having my computer near our fire place.  I get too hot and drowsy and end up tired with a headache.  I will be moving it soon.

I am very pleased with the Fitzroy reading program my middles are using.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…
I am starting to think about next year for my eldest.  At this stage I know he will be continuing Sonlight for his history but science has me totally flummoxed.  Looks like I need to visit a friend or two to see what else is out there.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

My beautiful marigolds along my front fence before some yobbo last week decided to drive along the footpath and along my garden beds after a big music event in my town.   They are all in the compost heap now.  RIP

Best wishes
Jen

Homeschool Mother's Journal Tuesday 10 May

First of all apologies to The Homeschool Chick for being so late.  Now on to the interesting bit.

In my life this week…
I had a very busy beginning of the week.  Recovery was not quick for this easily tired Mama.   It really didn't help that on Friday I hurt my shoulder and was unable to raise my arm.  Just having the baby rest his head in my elbow hurt.  Needless to say I entered this week with lots of washing and washing up to do.

In our homeschool this week…
We kept ourselves busy this week by doing woodworking on Monday, a local gaol tour on Tuesday, dentist visits on Wednesday,... well, that tired me out and not much happened for the rest of the week.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
Last week's gaol tour was pretty good.  It was nice to see a lot of other homeschoolers.  I don't get out to meet up with them often as I am a bit of a homebody.

My favorite thing this week was…
I really managed to get my head around some things with regards to my role as Mama in this house.  I realised that firmness can be good.  Some of my children are taking longer to realise that Mama is in charge.  But I will not be run all over anymore.  At some stage you just have to take a stand, ya know?!

What’s working/not working for us…
I had a dream the other night that made me realise that me letting my children be in charge of how our days go is not working.  While it might sound more "peaceful" now it is not for their good in the long run.  They need me to lead and that is what I will be doing.  It sometimes take a bit of personal gumption but the results of that dream remind me of the potential harm by me not being a stronger backbone for this family.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…
I think that one thing I have loved about homeschooling is that my Aspie kid has been able to learn at his own pace in his own peculiar style.  Better Late than Early helped encourage me along the way in this relaxed approach.  But in hindsight I have realised that I have wasted about 3 years of productive learning time with my other children who are neuro-typical.  They are thriving as I put more structure and higher expectations in place.  Just shows that you need to meet each child where they are at, and not expect one philosophy to fit all even inside one family.  In my opinion it is a good idea to know a little about all of them and implement the ones that suit each child best within the framework of your lifestyle.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
I found this calendar to suit my school calendar.  I was having a lot of trouble figuring what number day of the year it was without having to find some obscure calendar I hardly ever use.

Best wishes
Jen

Jen's tips for money crises

You may want to know why I think I have any authority to give out tips on handling your finances while in crisis.  Well, in a nutshell here is my resume.

In 18 years of marriage my dh has had only 7 years of full time employment, and 2 of those have been the last 2 years.  The other 11 years have been part time or casual employment, no employment and studying.

Over that time we have had a personal loan, usually for a vehicle, almost all the time.  We have tried to not have credit cards but at times we have had them too.  Some times we have had Centrelink loans and some times student loans.  And at one time we had a mortgage.  All this to say... I know how to live with limited funds and large commitments.

Here are my tips:

1. Have a budget, know where your money needs to go and where your money is going.
2. While times are good pay ahead on all loans of any type.  This gives you a buffer when things hit the fan, and because of your good payment history can help if (or when) it comes time to negotiate with the lenders due to continuing tough times.
3. Pay your bills in this order:
1. Rent / Mortgage always; Car, Life and Contents Insurances; Utilities; Loans - minimum; Credit Cards - minimum
2. Vehicles Expenses - Rego and Insurance, Petrol; Medicines; Groceries
3. Savings for Car Maintenance; Clothing; School Expenses; Children's Activities; Extra on loans; Health Insurance
4. Do Not Tweak this order.  The items in 3 should not come ahead of 1 for any reason.  (The only exception is Health Insurance if you already have a policy and can keep making payments.  My family has gotten by on the Australian public health system which is not ideal but has kept us alive and mostly healthy and can't afford health insurance at this time.)
5. Set up automatic payments through your bank for all items in 1 so you don't have a chance to spend the money before these commitments are paid.

I have lived on such a tight budget that the items in 3 were not even a possibility unless I managed to save on groceries or on petrol.  It is not fun at first but after a while it just becomes one of those things you do.

I have added up my grocery trolley as I shop and I have ditched items at the checkout as I see the tally getting higher.  It is embarrassing but necessary.  One of the great things about life now is that I can do my shop online and tweak my list until it fits my budget before I even go near the shops.  I print the list to take to the store to make sure I am not paying more.  Thankfully my closest store is cheaper than the online shop so I have a buffer for mark downs or a treat.

Oh, and learn to bake.  It takes very little money to feed hungry boys with cocoa, flour, eggs and sugar in the house.

Best wishes
Jen

Groceries Breakdown 6 May

Well, after last week's shock of over spending I had to pay back Peter.  (As in Rob Peter to pay Paul!)

After 2 meals of fast food we had a minuscule budget.

Here is the grocery breakdown for this week.
Fresh Produce $31.40
Dairy Products $8.25
Frozen Goods $5.04
Meat $14.02
Bread $0
Pantry Items $19.61
Bath and Baby $3.98
Dog $0
Treats $6.00

Spent in total $88.30

We still have snacks for the next week, fresh fruit and plenty of vegetables and I will be cleaning out the freezer so I can defrost it.  It is very old and needs a good defrost anyway.

Do you want to know what we are going to be eating for that small shop?  Here is our menu for this next week.

Sunday
B - Country Breakfast Casserole
L - Chicken Enchiladas for Mum and Dad, and Fish for boys
D - Devilled Sausages (from scratch, hate packet mixes)

Monday
B - Apple muffins, Cornflakes
L - Chicken wraps
D - Spaghetti

Tuesday
B - Baked Oatmeal
L - Macaroni with spam and vegies
D - Roast chickens, picked and put in wraps with salad

Wednesday
B - Egg and Bacon Wraps
L - Vegetable soup (crisper soup)
D - Granny Own's Chicken Casserole (has potato, onion, mushrooms, allspice, fennel and bay leaves, sour cream too, yum)

Thursday (pay day)
B - Porridge
L - Homemade Sausage rolls

After a good few year's experience of living on very little I know what meals are frugal.  These meals are not as frugal as some but then my family won't eat beans.  And you have to know your limits.

Best wishes
Jen

A conversation with a 12 year old

Me: Where are you?  You're supposed to be doing the dishes.

Him:  I am on the loo.

Me:  Why is it you always need to go to the loo when I ask you to do something?  You can watch TV for hours or play on the computer and not need to go but as soon as I ask you to do something you need to go.

Him:  (Raspberry)

Me:  (Raspberry)

Both:  Giggle

Well, I guess at least we are keeping the lines of communication open, if you can call blowing raspberries at each other communication.  lol

Best wishes
Jen