Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Meal Planning Options for February Week 3

 

Slightly Over Baked Curry Puffs

I haven't meal planned in a couple of weeks, but decided I should do some meal plan options for this week.  I meant to post this yesterday (Monday), but, time got away from me!  

On Saturday, I baked a batch of curry puffs - puff pastry turnovers with a curry filling.  I usually make these with curried ground beef, but, with ground beef  costing $8.49/lb. for the 80% lean/20% fat and $9.99 for 90% lean/10% fat, I haven't bought much ground beef, lately.  Instead, I used canned chicken breast I already had in my pantry, which needed to be used up soon (as in already beyond the best by date).  Sauteed with onions, a grated carrot, some shredded cabbage, and the usual curry leaves, curry powder, chili powder, lemon juice, a tiny bit of soy sauce, a handful of cooked garbanzo beans from a package in the freezer (in lieu of potatoes since the only potato I had left was soft and sprouting; it will be planted in the garden), and a little coconut milk leftover from making milkrice on the first of the month, the canned chicken made a good filling.  Unfortunately, I left them in the oven a bit longer than ideal and they got overbaked!  The burnt parts were easily scraped off and we enjoyed some of them for dinner and the leftovers have been eaten for brunch or snacks (mostly by me!)

On Sunday, daughter made a big pot of Zuppa Toscana, using a smoked sausage I had bought the  previous week and frozen, potatoes from the new bag of potatoes I had bought earlier that day when I picked up my groceries after the store mix up, and kale she picked from the garden:

Zuppa Toscana

She used milk, instead of the cream the recipe called for since we didn't have cream (not something I would normally buy).

I was planning to make a new loaf of bread to have with it, but, I didn't.  I have been experiencing some sciatica pains, on and off these past few days, so have not been up to doing much; that's my excuse for not making the bread.  I am still planning to make some bread to go with the rest of the soup as we have many servings of the soup left.  

However, on Sunday, even though I didn't make the bread, I cooked a beef curry with some of the beef I had bought earlier in February and frozen.   Daughter wanted some of the beef to make black pepper beef; she left the beef to marinate overnight and cooked it, adding some kale to it, on Monday. 

Black Pepper Beef with Kale

I am planning to make a chicken curry with some of the chicken I bought on Sunday and these dishes will form the basis of our meal plan options for this week:

February Week 3 Meal Plan Options:

Brunches:  Scrambled eggs with sausages and fried potatoes (Monday); Pancakes (Tuesday); Bagels; Curry puffs; Black pepper beef and rice; Soup; French toast; Leftover pasta from the previous week

Dinners:  Soup and bread; Black pepper beef with rice (Monday); Beef curry, sauteed greens, and rice; Chicken curry,  sauteed curried cabbage, and rice; Leftovers

Snacks/Desserts:   Bread/toast with banana and peanut butter; yogurt with fruit and cereal (me); cereal and milk (daughter); fruit; leftover pancakes; chocolate pudding (maybe).

I've added the links to the previous grocery shopping posts, only to show how I will often buy something when it is on sale and then, cook it later.  

I am grateful for:

- The luxury of choice when it comes to meal planning
- Daughter making some of this week's meals
- A well-stocked pantry and freezer
- Fresh greens from the garden
- Being able to cook (the availability and access to a working stove, electricity, fuel, etc. - things we often take for granted)

What are you planning to have for meals this week?

Monday, February 16, 2026

February Grocery Shopping - Part 3

I ordered and picked up groceries on Sunday, February 15.

I didn't realize when I submitted the order that I had, accidentally, selected a different store than the one I usuallly go to when I pick up groceries!  Even though the store address showed up on the notification that the order was ready for pick up, I didn't even notice it!  As far as I was concerned, I had not checked a different store!  I happily drove to my regular store and sent the text with my pick up parking spot number and waited.

After a few minutes, my phone rang and it was a store clerk saying he couldn't see me at the parking spot I had stated I was parked in and at which store was I waiting?  It was only then that I realized that I was at my neighborhood store and my groceries were waiting for me at a different store a few miles away!  That's the first time that has happened! The store clerk asked if I wanted the order cancelled, but, I said no, I will drive over if he could hold the items for me; it would take me about 20 minutes to get there.  He said he will hold the order for me.  I was able to get to the other store in just about 20 minutes and I called the store to let the person who called me know that I was at the store.  A very pleasant store clerk brought my order to the car and loaded the bags.

I  bought chicken, fruit, potatoes, frozen pot pies, peanut butter, and hot Cheetos.  The potatoes, bananas, and mandarin oranges were not on sale and the chicken drumsticks were the store's $5 value pack (but, a good deal at 4.5lbs. for $5; they don't have chicken thighs for that same price, though).  But, everything else was on sale.

Here's the receipt:

Order Summary

Original Item Total$84.41
Item Coupons/Sales-$34.62
Fulfillment Fee+$0.00
Other Fees+$0.20
Sales Tax$0.00
Order Total$49.99

Item Details

16 Items

Cheetos® Flamin' Hot® Puffs Cheese Snacks, 8 oz$10.00
4 x $2.50 $5.49 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.99
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.99
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.99
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.99
Cuties® Seedless California Mandarin Clementine Oranges in 3lb Bag, 3 lb$5.99
1 x $5.99 each
Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Thighs Value Pack, 1 pk$4.78
3.21 lbs x $1.48 $2.99 each (approx.)
Item Coupon/Sale: -$4.82
Fresh Bunch of Bananas – 5-7 Bananas, 1 bunch$1.68
2.43 lbs x $0.69 each (approx.)
Fresh Seedless Red Grapes, 1 lb$5.61
3.07 lbs x $1.82 $3.99 each (approx.)
Item Coupon/Sale: -$6.14
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Kroger® Creamy Peanut Butter, 16 oz$1.79
1 x $1.79 $2.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.20
Kroger® Fresh Uncooked Chicken Drumsticks, 4.5 lb$5.00
1 x $5.00 each
Kroger® Russet Potatoes Big Deal in 10 lb Bag, 10 lb$4.99
1 x $4.99 eac
Marie Callender's Beef Pot Pie Frozen Meal, 10 oz$9.95
5 x $1.99 $3.99 each (approx.)
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50

Other Fees

$0.20

Bag Fee$0.20
2 x $0.10 each

Total spent = $49.99

My February grocery budget is $250 plus $57.42 carried over from January = $307.42

Total spent to date = $99.37 + $0.49 + $42.29 + $49.99 = $192.14

Balance left in the budget = $307.42 - $192.14 = $115.28


I am grateful for:

- Being able to order groceries online, even if I select the wrong store for pick up!
- The availability of groceries and sales
- Helpful store clerks who contacted me and held my grocery order until I got myself to the correct store!
- A safe drive to the stores and back
- Greens from the garden


Kale, Mizuna, Arugula and Radish

Daughter picked a bunch of greens and the last of the radishes from her raised beds and washed and processed everything.  She used some of the kale leaves for a soup she made.  The rest will be made into salads.

How are you coming along with your grocery shopping this month?  Are you finding any good sales and bargains?

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Mid-Week Update

 

Hibiscus Flower

We had rain on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning!  The rain was very welcomem but, the accompanying gusty winds weren't that welcome!  There's more rain in the forecast for next week, too, which is good as it means that this will not be a drought year.  

There was sunshine in the afternoon on Wednesday, and gardener M was able to tend to the garden.  He didn't have to water, thanks to the rain, so he was able to do some tidying, weeding, and transplanting.  

The gas company had sent a notice that they will be in my area in the next 30 days, doing routine safety inspections, and needed clear access to the gas meters.  So, I had M prune some of the succulents that were a bit overgrown.  Some of the euphorbia prunings were put in the yardwaste bin and some of the aloe prunings planted elsewhere in the front garden.  One succulant plant was moved to the back garden.  Some irises were also transplanted.  

On Wednesday, I made some phone calls to schedule medical appointments and I altered a pair of pants (trousers).  I also watched a live stream of the conclusion of the Buddhist Monks' Walk for Peace as they arrived in Washington, D.C.  I have been following them as they walked; the monks from the Temple I attend had participated in a blessing ceremony before the monks set out on their walk from Fort Worth, Texas, in October.  I also watched some of the coverage of the Winter Olympics.

Brunch on Wednesday was tuna salad on crackers and a banana with peanut butter.  For dinner, I made pork fried rice.

I am grateful for:

- Rain for the garden
- The winds didn't cause any damage in my neighborhood
- M's help with the garden
- Sunshine after the rain
- A peaceful conclusion to the Walk for Peace

Joyful activities have included sewing, watching videos, and watching the Winter Olympics.

Plans for Thursday include more phone calls and appointment scheduling, some sewing, and a little bit of paperwork.

How is your week coming along?

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

February Grocery Shopping - Part 2

I ordered and picked up some groceries today (Tuesday, February 10).

I needed more half and half for my daughter's coffee, more bananas, and another loaf of sandwich bread.

I was out of pancake mix and ketchup so I bought a new box of pancake mix (paying regular price for it) and a bottle of ketchup (on sale this week with digital coupons). 

The smoked sausages were on sale with a digital coupon and a "best customer" coupon, at a stock up price (which used to be the old regular price about 5 years ago).  I bought the maximum 5 allowed to stock up.

The store brand bagels were free with a "best customer" coupon, so, of course, I had to get a package!  

Butter was also on sale with a digital coupon and I decided to get two pounds of unsalted butter.

The unsalted peanuts are my "go to" snack, these days, so I went ahead and bought two cans.

My groceries would have cost me $77.43 if I had paid full price for everything.  By shopping the sales, mostly, I saved $35.44.

I've posted the receipt below.

Order Summary

Original Item Total$77.43
Item Coupons/Sales-$35.44
Fulfillment Fee+$0.00
Other Fees+$0.30
Sales Tax$0.00
Order Total$42.29

Item Details

15 Items

Fresh Bunch of Bananas – 5-7 Bananas, 1 bunch$1.77
2.57 lbs x $0.68 each (approx.)
Heinz Tomato Ketchup, 38 oz$3.49
1 x $3.49 $5.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.50
Hillshire Farm® Beef Polska Kielbasa Smoked Sausage, 12 oz$8.22
3 x $2.74 $7.79 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.80
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.80
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.80
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.75
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Hillshire Farm® Smoked Sausage, 14 oz$5.98
2 x $2.99 $6.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Kroger® Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix, 32 oz$3.49
1 x $3.49 each
Kroger® Everything Bagels, 6 ct / 18 oz$0.00
1 x $0.00 $2.79 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.79
Kroger® Half and Half Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$5.49
1 x $5.49 each
Kroger® Unsalted Peanuts, 12 oz$5.58
2 x $2.79 each
Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$1.99
1 x $1.99 each
Land O Lakes Unsalted Butter Sticks, 1 lb$5.98
2 x $2.99 $6.49 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.50

Other Fees

$0.30

Bag Fee$0.30
3 x $0.10 each

Total spent = $42.29

In addition, I picked up a box of cereal for $0.49 at the pharmacy, last week.  I had gone to the pharmacy to pick up a medication refill that was ready and I had a $2 "extra care bucks" coupon.  Cereal was on sale for $2.49 a box (apparently, that is their new sale price; previously, it would be on sale for $1.99 a box), so I bought a box of cereal for $0.49 with my $2.00 off coupon.  

My February grocery budget is $250 plus $57.42 carried over from January = $307.42

Total spent to date = $99.37 + $0.49 + $42.29 = $142.15

Balance left in the budget = $307.42 - $142.15 = $165.27


As always, I am grateful for:

- Being able to order groceries online and pick up the same day
- The availability of groceries
- Sales and coupons
- A safe drive to the store and back
- A working fridge/freezer and electricity to run it

How is your grocery shopping coming along?  

Monday, February 9, 2026

Another Finished Project

 

Daughter's New Sweater

On Sunday, I finished knitting daughter's sweater.  It is the same style as the one I knitted for myself, but, she wanted her sweater to be a little longer.  I started knitting the sweater on January 16.  It took me just over 3 weeks to knit the sweater.


The Back of the Sweater

Daughter tried it on today; it fits her well and she is very pleased with it, which makes me happy.  

Now I am wondering what my next project should be.  I have some quilts in progress that I could finish and I have some clothes to be altered.  Of course, there's always paperwork and filing to be done, too!  What do you think?

Friday, February 6, 2026

Peach Blossom

 

The Bees Have Discovered the Peach Blossom

It didn't take long for the bees to discover that the peach tree was flowering!  The whole tree is buzzing with bees!

Peach Tree in Bloom

I have been trying to take some pictures of the peach tree, but, I'm finding it hard to truly capture its presence in the garden.


The Peach Tree

But, it's the first thing my eyes are drawn to when I look outside.  


I just love how pink they are!

Love the colors!


We've had some record breaking warm weather for this time of the year with temperatures going up to 86F mid-week.  The heat is encourating the peach tree to flower quickly.



One Last Photo

I hope you enjoyed the peach blossom as much as I am enjoying them.  

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

The New Dutch Oven

 

The New Dutch Oven

We unboxed the new Dutch oven over the weekend.  It came with the red silicon holders.  

New Dutch Oven and Lid

Apparently, the lid can be used as another pan, as well!  I can see myself baking some cornbread in it, or, perhaps even a pie.

2-in-1 "Per"-Seasoned Multi Cooker

Not only that, it is "per"-seasoned, as well!

Well, of course, there was just one thing left to do, wasn't there?

Trying out the new Dutch Oven

Yes, we had to try out the new Dutch oven.  The expired yeast proofed just fine and the no-knead bread with fresh rosemary leaves added to the dough rose well.

A Fresh Loaf of Bread

Daughter and I agreed that this was the best loaf of no-knead bread we've made so far.  We are rather pleased with ourselves and our bread making abilities.  LOL.  I can see myself needing to buy more flour and yeast in the future!

I am grateful for:
- Daughter buying me a Dutch oven
- It came pre-seasoned so we could use it right away
- The yeast did its job perfectly well
- A working oven
- Freshly baked bread for dinner

My joyful activities included baking bread and enjoying warm bread with butter.

What would you make in the lid?  Any suggestions?  

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

February Grocery Shopping Part 1

On Monday, February 2, I ordered and picked up some groceries.  I needed a few items I was out of (milk, coconut milk, bananas, cucumber, carrots, onions) and wanted to stock up on a few things (rice, coconut milk, oil), and take advantage of sales and digital coupons before they expired. 

Here's my receipt showing what I bought:  

Order Summary

Original Item Total$128.21
Item Coupons/Sales-$30.60
Fulfillment Fee+$0.00
Other Fees+$0.40
Sales Tax+$1.36
Order Total$99.37

Item Details

25 Items

CA Redem Val$0.60
1 x $0.60 each
CA Redem Val$0.60
1 x $0.60 each
Choice Beef Chuck Roast, 1 ct$19.50
2.79 lbs x $6.98 $10.99 each (approx.)
Item Coupon/Sale: -$11.16
Cucumber, 1 ct$0.59
1 x $0.59 $0.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.40
Fresh Bunch of Bananas – 5-7 Bananas, 1 bunch$1.86
2.7 lbs x $0.68 each (approx.)
Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Milk Chocolate Almond Ice Cream Bars, 3 Count, 3 ct$5.98
2 x $2.99 $6.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Kroger® 100% Pure Vegetable Oil, 48 fl oz$4.29
1 x $4.29 $4.49 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.20
Kroger® Cage Free Large White Eggs, 18 ct$3.49
1 x $3.49 $4.39 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.90
Kroger® Honey Sweet BBQ Sauce, 18 oz$2.29
1 x $2.29 each
Kroger® Long Grain Rice, 10 lb$14.98
2 x $7.49 each
Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$1.99
1 x $1.99 each
Kroger® Whole Carrots Bag, 2 lb$1.99
1 x $1.99 each
Kroger® Whole Vitamin D Milk 32 fl. oz. Bottle, 1 qt$2.49
1 x $2.49 each
Kroger® Yellow Onion 3 lb Bag, 3 lb$2.99
1 x $2.99 each
Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners Hot Dogs, Pack, 10 ct$1.99
1 x $1.99 $4.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$2.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast Thin Sliced Lunchmeat, 16 oz$5.99
1 x $5.99 $9.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Simple Truth Organic™ Coconut Milk, 13.5 fl oz$12.00
6 x $2.00 $2.49 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.49
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.49
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.49
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.49
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.49
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.49
Sparkling Ice® Summer LTO Lemonade Variety Pack (Pack of 12), 12 ct / 17 fl oz$13.99
1 x $13.99 each

Other Fees

$0.40

Bag Fee$0.40
4 x $0.10 each


My  February grocery budget is $250 plus $57.42 carried over from January to be used mostly for stocking up = $307.42

Total spent to date = $99.37

Balance left in the budget = $307.42 - $99.37 = $208.05

As always, I am grateful for:

- Being able to order groceries online and pick up the same day
- The availability of groceries
- Being able to have a choice
- A safe drive to the store and back
- A working fridge/freezer and electricity to run it

Have you grocery shopped yet in February?