$4.50 Friday - Chicken Pot Pie

Okay girlies well I do love to stretch a buck but last night I also needed to stretch my time. I didn't have much of it.
I would also like to remind you, that you can have "Big" meals on this budget but unfortunately this is a lighter one. If I had a larger family I would probably need two pies, and could probably still be very close to budget. We have loved this meal since our early married days, and its still a very favorite of Nicks.

Easy Peasy Pot Pie

I pkg onion soup mix (.25) I buy a box for a dollar.
1/2 pkg mixed frozen vegetables (.75)
1 frozen pie crust (.75)
Anytype of leftover meat from night before 1-2 cups chopped($1.00)
we frequently do chicken, pork, or even steak
2 cups milk (.50)

total for one pie $3.25, a double crust pie $4.00

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Heat up milk and soup mix in a small saucepan for several minutes until mixed well and a little bubbly.
If your doing double crust lay down first one, place veggies, and meat mixed in pie plate. I made this one a double crust, because my crust was crumbling.
If you have more time you could much cheaper make your own crust, and make two pies still in budget!
Then pour the milk/soup mixture over it.
Place crust on top, and seal, creating a slit to breathe on top
Bake for 20 minutes.
Wahlah...






This is perfect for quick dinners before bible study, sport nights, etc. I also plan this into my week to really stretch my dinner budget I normally snag the extra dollar for a night with company over etc.

FOUR FIFTY FRIDAY

During our little Seattle visit a couple of weeks ago, Chelle, Aminta, and I were super inspired by our dear friend Leslie's frugal dinner ideas. Her goal is to make every dinner (entire dinner mind you) $4.50 or less! And to top it off, Leslie + Nick frequently host dinners in their home. We were all really challenged to work on our own groceries budgets when we returned home.

How many of you are up to the challenge too?

If so, I think it would be great if we could make every Friday here "FOUR FIFTY FRIDAY" and could share some of our favorite dinner ideas that cost $4.50 or less. You don't have to share every Friday, but hopefully enough people will want to participate that we can get a least one recipe a week (especially from you, Miss Leslie!).

Are you in?

Can I interest you in...

a little eye candy?

anyone else have folders on their computer chock full of random pictures of pretty rooms for future reference/inspiration?

There is this amazing little spot that the fabulous Kelly Mccaleb is raving about this morning on her blog. And I have to say after scrolling through hers, I was compeletly smitten and went right away and set up my very own Tumblr account...so excited about this pretty way to store sweet picture finds and quotes. Since you all know what a quote junkie I am. Take a look yourself and if you decide to start your own, please do share with the rest of us...

{ faves }

Fairlight did a sweet little post yesterday of her Etsy favorites. She thought maybe we'd all like share our favorites. Here are mine:

Etsy Buy Handmade whimsicalities

Can't wait to see yours.

{ Prompt }

Inspired today by my new little stack of spring ribbon from American Crafts.

Also finding inspiration from this new little shirt we bought at Target yesterday for Annabelle.

And in our first sunny little patch of mini daffodils, blooming under the big tree outside of the nursery window.

We made pink play dough this morning. And scented it with imitation strawberry flavoring. Such and fun 5 minute project. Will post my recipe if anyone is interested.

I love that saying "you learn something new every day." And today I discovered what a muffaletta is. Please tell me I am not the only one who didn't know. And doesn't it look/sound amazing? I wish I was having it was what we were having for lunch. Peanut butter and honey on whole wheat toast with a glass of o.j. is what we are actually having. With a frozen Oreo or three after lunch. We rarely buy Oreos, but there was an coupon for Oreos this week and so I caved in a bought a package. A friend of ours turned us on to sticking them in the freezer, where they turn into bite sized, rather addicting miniature ice-cream bars. But what new delicious little bit of info did you recently uncover? Maybe it's a new found favorite recipe

This lady is so amazingly gifted. Check this out. I am totally smitten. Also, wanted to share this darling idea with you. Go check out her super sweet templates. What posts are inspiring you ladies these days? Mind sharing?

Hoping to hear from some of you lovely ladies soon. Have a growing file of eye candy? Do share. Have a recently completed or contemplated project...please share. Baked anything lately and been so proud of it, that you photographed it? Feeling inspired for spring? Discovered a new blog or Etsy shop that you can't get enough of ?

Hint, hint...some new posts around here would sure be nice.