Hosting Aftermath and Menu Planning

I should have taken pictures of my Easter menu spread. I know we were a small group, only seven, but I think I mastered it. DD2 did my appetizer table and arranged the veggies and dip, meat and cheese, and crackers, and truffles on a seperate small table to ejoy while I was finsishing the meal and we were all talking. It looked very nice when she was done. My only hiccup was I forgot to put the deviled egg's out for the meal. I found the when I took out the pistachio cake my cousin in law brought for desert. I was surprised no one mentioned deviled eggs through the meal, not even my two housemates. Oh well. A few were politely eaten, and they will be lunches as is or turned into egg salad. The only picture I did take was of the lily my mother-in-law brought me. Oh, the table cloth? I found that tucked in my dish rag and towel drawer after a good deep clean. Maybe bought it three years ago for 70% clearance at Target so I think it was $4.50. It brightened my kitchen so I think I might use it until I can get my windows open and put a coat of paint on my beat up kitchen table. 

I'm not even going to talk in detail about my March grocery total. Things took a turn on Thursday. Then I stopped at two places on Friday. I hadn't planned ahead on the ham and bought one not on sale because all the lower cost ones were out. I also ended up with a bigger one than we needed, but I have loads leftover and two large meal portions frozen, plus a healthy meat filled soup bone. I think I might shift my strategy and aim for a total yearly household and grocery budget of $5,000, aiming for $400 a month, but allowing a bit more flexibility for holidays and super good deals. My motto, my game, my rules still apply. Still, just keeping the monthly goal in my head stops me from stupid buying most of the time. 

We have an odd week here. DD2 is home again today, but she claimed the last of the cheesy potatoes and green beans for today's meals.She has track practice later this morning and is meeting her group on her American History decades project. Track meet on Tuesday and her last show choir practice will keep her from the table Tuesday and Wednesday and then she hits the road midday Thursday for her last competition. We're taking of early Friday morning. We'll eat down leftovers this week, maybe throw a grilled cheese or can of soup in the mix for variety, but for the most part all week will be fend for  your self. I don't want food waste since we will be gone and my niece is unlikely to eat meals, just perhaps some fruit or snacks while here with pup. 

Ok-I'll fess up. I spent a total of $560.29 in March, including the $20 I was prorating to April. Keeping my spendinng to just $239.71 in all of April? Yeah, yearly budget might be a better plan, but I'll be tracking. Have a great week.