Ethnic Night 2 - Bonjour!

We traveled to France as a family today. I must say it was a very nice trip. As a family we stopped at a local meat market for the best cut of meat to prepare our main dish.  Sport and I got home and researched some things about France and their lifestyle.  We also used a life line and called my sister "Aunt Jenny" who studied French for 4 years in High School. She gave us some good information and history about the culture too. The French eat small meals not huge elaborate 10lbs of meat and more meat and more pasta and more carbs.... they eat light, small meals and really concentrate on Café and desserts (YUMMM my favorite as well).

We realized that comparing our Greek night to the French night this French was MUCH easier. The meal itself was not as difficult to prepare and overall just seemed more calm.  It's funny because as I sit back thinking about Greek night, we really sounded Greek yelling and getting loud together, but that was just as much fun getting our hands dirty preparing that meal and trying out a new Ethnicity. 

Sport insisted on cutting the garlic all by himself. It took alot of time but he did a great job.

Sport continued to stir his Green Beans with his magic touch I must say they are the BEST we have ever had and no this is not mothers bragging the really were the BEST we have ever had.

The menu for French night is below:

Main Course: Chateaubriand (it melted in our mouth), wine, potatoes & Carrots (amazing), wine, French style Green Beans w almonds (Made by Sport all by himself and the best we have EVER had), wine....





My mouth waters looking at this.

Dessert: Crepes and Grand Marnier French Toasted Angel Food cake w/ strawberries and whip cream.



Isn't it beautiful!?!

Requests for seconds before I even sat down to take a bite.

 

We love our trips around the world (in the kitchen) and look forward to many more experiences. Next stop... Italy!

Disney here I come

Happy New Year!!! Bring it on.... that's the new attitude. 

Everything happens for a reason (I say that often) but I do strongly believe that. This past weekend we were notified that some friendly stranger (sarcasm) decided to borrow our money and charged over $1,400 on a fake debit with our number. NO I am not joking, but the good news because of this situation, Jason and I sat and reviewed our expenses in GREAT detail literally down to the penny.  We talked bills, dreams, goals... it was a stressful, but at the same time a very pleasant conversation.  With a new house in the future, bigger, boat, and building the kids bank accounts I don't see any extra fun pennies BUT I wouldn't take that answer. 

For a few months I was a VERY dedicated couponer but I started to dwindle as I let life take over me instead me taking over my life. However, I have been reinspired as I did some summaries of 2011 savings:

From May (2011)-Jan (2012) 8 months

* I spent $2,230.71 on groceries which includes diapers, hygiene, and all food (no eating out that’s my new mission to tackle and lower)

* I saved $1,570.32 from coupon and sales.

* My average  $75 a week at the grocery store and a savings of 61%.

 

That’s AWESOME if I can keep that up BUT maybe kick it up a notch.... GAME ON. The agreement Jason and I have is that I will now have a weekly "allowance" for the groceris and use cash. Any money that I can save from that pot I will set aside and hide for.... Disney!!! 

My kids are only young once and we have to embrace chances like this. I will give up sleep and work on coupons until the wee hours in the morning if I can save my pennies and get us there. My goal is to pay for the ENTIRE Disney trip for next Spring.  GAME ON!!!!!!!!! Im packing my bags already.