QFC Grocery Basket 1/21

Check out the little nubbins coming up in my Autumn Sedum!!  These little babies are the first to show their faces in late winter and the last ones blooming in early winter.  Every flower bed loves to have them in the mix.  They are almost maintenance free except for that "prune in June" thing where you pinch them down a third or so to avoid the floppsies when they bloom.

Changing the subject to Bradley Cooper - if you want to see a movie that will get you going, one way or the other, go see American Sniper.  I'm not a war movie person but I usually enjoy anything that Clint Eastwood does and I'm a big fan of Bradley.  I'm not gonna lie to you.  This is a hard movie to watch but if you are at all curious about what goes on over in the Mideast this might answer some questions.  I also came away with a deeper understanding of our vets...and appreciation.

Okay - moving on to the grocery ad for this week.  A couple of things to mention are the fresh Alaska cod and the asparagus.  Most people prefer the little skinny spears of asparagus but really the fatter ones are much more tender.  When I'm washing the asparagus I take each spear and give it a bend.  It will break where the tender spot is.  The tough ends go out to the compost pile to join the wormies.

The last time that the cod was on sale I bought enough for two meals.  I cut it up and soaked it in beer and then dusted it with Krusteaz Bake "n Fry Mix.  I baked it at 400 until done, turning once as it browned on the bottom.  It was so good with a squeeze of lemon that I ate the whole thing in one sitting.  So much for my plans.

If you have been jonesing for berries as I have, QFC has them on sale for $2.50.  A couple of weeks ago I purchased the blueberries that were on sale and they were just not wonderful.  Once you get used to eating berries out of your backyard, nothing else measures up.  If you are planning on buying the berries give them a good sniff.  Usually if they smell good they will taste good.

Here are my suggestions for this week:

Mission Flour Tortillas - $1.25/10ct
QFC Milk - $ .99/half gal
Kroger Cottage Cheese - $1.50/16 oz
Kroger Sour Cream - $1.50/16oz
Boneless Chuck Roast - $3.99/lb
Boneless Top Sirloin Steak - $6.99/lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - BOGO
Fresh Alaska Cod Fillets - $7.99/lb
Asparagus - $2.99/lb
Cucumbers - $ .69/ea
Green Bell Peppers - $ .69/ea
Eggplant - $1.50/ea
Jazz Apples - $1.99/lb
Organic Anjou Pears - $1.99/lb
Organic Bunch Carrots or Beets - $2/bunch
Strawberries - $2.50/lb (God only knows where they are from)

You might remember that I mentioned a few weeks ago that my sister eats salad for breakfast with eggs on top.  She sent me this snap the other day of her breakfast.  I'm gonna take the last of the Kale Salad Mix that I told you about last week and cook it up for lunch.  I think that it will be very tasty with a couple of poached eggs and a buttered English muffin.

FYI:

Miss PeggyRae gave me a gift certificate to Red Robin and Miss MaggieMay and I had lunch there yesterday.  I haven't eaten there since the 80s and I don't know why because that was a seriously good burger.  They also have endless fries.  I thought that the fries were just average.  If you want crazy good fries, the best ever, go to Burgers Landing in Port Hadlock.  They also have a good old fashioned burger that is pretty good and a very good price.

QFC Grocery Basket 1/14

I don't know how the people across from us at the Mexican restaurant feel about being on the blog but they sure were enjoying Cooper, a.k.a. Coopy.  I don't know how she does it but Miss CutiePie is the most relaxed new mama and it shows.  He was happy the whole time we were eating lunch and all we had to do was occasionally pick up a launched toy.  And I love his stylin' hair and big blue eyes.

Anyway, Miss MaggieMae and I went down to Costco yesterday so I could get my tires rotated.  You do know that when you buy your tires from Costco you get them rotated for free??  They also check the pressure and balance and let you know how your tires are doing.  Tires are an expensive investment plus very important for safety so it is important to take good care of them.  Remember we are all about maintenance not repair.

Also I found the above salad mix while I was at Costco.  I've gotten tired of lettuce and have been eating a lot of cole slaw lately, so I was excited about this mix.  It contains kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and I don't know what all.  It also comes with a pack of dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds, plus a couple packs of poppy seed dressing.  I haven't tried the dressing yet because I make my own but I will give it a go next time I have this but I do use the cranberries and seeds.

This is a good salad and very filling.  I've also added chicken and blue cheese crumbles to make it a main meal.  Miss MaggieMae suggested throwing a handful into the old Vitamix next time I fire it up to make a smoothie.  Good idea!!  And it only costs $4.79 for this big bag.  I know that my sister is gonna love this.  She has salad for breakfast with a couple poached eggs on top.  I may give that a try.

Okay - let's look at the ad for this week.  This is a boring ad, no doubt about it, but there are primroses and they are going for a dollar each.  I'm pretty sure that you shouldn't eat primroses but they sure can cheer up a dreary winter day and they are a harbinger of spring.  Remember the Sluggo because the slugs love 'em.  Also daffodils are $2.50 for a five stem bunch, so for $5 you could have a lovely bouquet of springness.

Here are the highlights:

Special K Cereal - $1.99/11-13oz
Fage Greek Yogurt - $1/7oz
Kroger Sour Cream - $1.50/16oz
Nancy' Yogurt - $2.50/qt
Boneless Sirloin Tip Roast - $3.99/lb
Pork Loin Rib or Loin Chops - BOGO
Broccoli Crowns - $ .99/lb
Cauliflower - $ .99/lb
Green Beans - $1.99/lb
Brussels Sprouts - $1.99/lb
Large Navel Oranges - $ .69/lb

Be sure and stock up on the oranges.  This is their peak season and they are usually at their best.  Also, the vitamin C can't hurt either during this cold and flu season.

QFC Grocery Basket 1/7

Miss MoneyPenny loves the Seahawks!!  And they are in the playoffs again this year despite the pundits saying they are just a flash in the pan.  I'm proud to say that I watched every game this year.  Granted it was hard at the beginning of the season when they were trying to sort out the Percy Harvin mess and how could they really get rid of Golden Tate??  But, anyway, here they are again.  They will be playing the Carolina Panthers on Saturday at 5:15 on Fox.  Guess what I will be doing??  Go Hawks!!

Have you got the after holiday blahs??  I do.  In fact Miss MaggieMay and I couldn't even think of anything to do yesterday.  That's how bad it was.  But today is a different matter.  My knitting group is having a party today.  Since everyone was so busy during the actual holidays we decided to get together today and have goodies and a knitting themed White Elephant.  We can't buy anything.  It has to come from our own collection.  This should be interesting.

Okay - let's look at the ad this week.  Now that we are done with the holiday feasting and trying to get back into our jeans, we need to start paying attention to what we are putting in our mouth.  And what we are taking out of our wallets.  I always overspend my grocery budget during the holidays so January can look pretty bleak with lots of stews and soups and no prime rib and oyster dressing.  But soup and stew can be really good if you take the time and effort.  What could be better that a hot steaming bowl of chicken soup with good homemade bread??  Nothing.

Here are my suggestions for "real food" at a good price:

Franz Bread - $2/loaf
Tully's Coffee - $5.99/12oz bag
Huy Fong Sriracha Sauce - $2.50/17oz
Nancy's Yogurt - $2.50/qt
Boneless Chuck Roast - $3.99/lb
Foster Farms Ground Turkey - $2.99/20oz pack
Fresh Pacific Cod Fillets - $7.99/lb
Fresh Petrale Fillets - $7.99/lb
Fresh Whole Cooked Crab - $5.99/lb
Blueberries - $4.99/18oz
Anjou or Bosc Pears - $1.49/lb
Green Beans - $1.99/lb
Brussel Sprouts - $1.99/lb
Greens - $2/bunch
Jazz, Ambrosia, Sonya or Cripps Pink Apples - $1.49/lb
Medium Hass Avocados - $ .99/ea
Colored Bell Peppers - $1.50/ea

QFC is also having their Buy5/Save $5 promo so check it out for any packaged products that you need.  The little tags are all over the store.

QFC Grocery Basket 1/2

I was walking by one of my heater vents the other day and I noticed this pink stuff.  I took a picture and sent it to my son, the plumber.  He quickly texted back that it wasn't a good thing to have and he would be up soon.  And he was.  And under the house.  It seems that I've got a big effing rat problem and it ain't gonna be fun or cheap to fix.

The first order of business is trapping the varmints.  My son is going on a rat patrol campaign which involves a dozen traps baited with peanut butter and something else.  I shudder when I think of this.  Then the repair happens.  Ka-Ching.

Now I'm worried that one of those creepy rodents is gonna come screaming out of the toilet and bite me on the butt.  According to my son he has never seen such big rats.  I'm so thrilled about all of this.

Anyway, check out the edge of my old dish drainer from God knows when.  I'm thinking 60s, 70s, or maybe 80s with the brown color.  All that whitish stuff is minerals from our hard water that doesn't come off even in the dishwasher.  But check it out - I took advantage of the Kitchenaid dish drainer coupon at Costco the other day and got this little compact beauty:

I hand wash most of my dishes unless I'm cooking up a storm or entertaining.  These are my dishes from breakfast and they fit perfectly.  I don't know about you but I pretty much use the same dishes all the time.  Now that I think of it one of my old boyfriends from the 70s said that a dishwasher was just an expensive place to store dirty dishes.  He might have something there but I would still hate to be without my dishwasher.

Okay - let's look at our short timer ad.  Nothing real exciting but QFC is running their Buy5/Get $5 promo so check it out if there are any packaged items that you need.  I don't know about you but I have really been craving real and fresh food after the holiday feasting.  I don't know why I do it, but I do.  I always eat all the goodies and then feel rotten so there will be lots of fresh produce and fish at the MoneyPenny house from now on.

Here are my suggestions:

Dave's Killer Bread - $3.99/loaf
Seattle's Best Coffee - $4.99/12oz bag
Boneless Pork Top Loin Chops - BOGO
Fresh Dove Sole Fillets - $6.99/lb
Broccoli Crowns - $1.49/lb
Cucumbers or Green Peppers - $ .69/ea
Eggplant - $1.50/ea
Gala, Fuji, or Braeburn Apples - $ .99/lb
Grape Tomatoes - $2/10oz pack
Large Navel Oranges - $ .69/lb

When a patch of warm sunshine is involved even mortal enemies can get along.