Baking Bread

Keith and I have only eaten out once this year, and that was because we'd just returned from being out of town.  For some folks, that's no big deal...but we had gotten to where we ate out way too much.  It was a matter of poor planning and convenience because I love to cook.  I would just be too exhausted after working all day to cook and clean up from it... and sometimes I would be too exhausted to even think of something to make.  We threw away way too many groceries because we didn't pay attention and they would spoil. 

So, this year I started with a plan.  I made a list (that grows constantly) of things I cook that we like to eat.  It's divided into Main Dishes and Sides so I can easily mix and match.  Having that list is a HUGE help because I don't have to think of things to cook and can even plan our meals so that leftover ingredients can often be re-purposed.  We were blessed to receive a lot of venison on Christmas Even, which prompted us to clean out and organize our enormous deep freeze.  Now I know what I have and can easily find items to cook. 

I've also discovered the joy of baking my own bread.  It's a wonderful way to involve Jonathan in cooking.  He loves to help with the dough!  Mostly, he beats it to death or pinches the dickens out of it, but we have fun.  Kneading the dough is lots of fun and so relaxing!  The smell of bread baking makes the house smell so wonderful and homey... and it tastes WAY better than a loaf at the store.  I have a great French Bread recipe and today am making my own hamburger and hot dog buns.  Sometimes I use my bread machine... sometimes I use the mixer and knead it by hand but either way it's delightful and VERY economical! 

With meal-planning comes very careful grocery-list-making.  I started couponing (thanks Michelle!) about a year ago and saw a big difference in our grocery bill.  Now I've attacked it with renewed fervor.  I'm also trying to be very purposeful about stocking up on items I know I'll use when they are their cheapest.  It's been so wonderful these last few weeks to have plenty in my pantry to make a meal from.  I have yet to spend $12 and save $112 like some of my friends, but I have realized that I don't buy a lot of the things that come on sale and have coupons.  -And I'll save more by buying what I need and what we use than just buying because it's on sale and I have a coupon. 


I know this is old hat for many of you, but it's kind of my own personal challenge for 2011.  I want to see how long we can go without eating out, how much variety I can create in our dinners, how many new things I can learn to make.  I love cooking and Keith usually cleans up the kitchen after dinner so it's been great!  Jonathan eats better when we eat at home and Keith and I feel more satisfied and less yucky from eating out.