Saturday, April 04, 2015

Living the Pantry Lifestyle - Holiday Stockup


Yesterday was my first real grocery visit since getting over the influenza.  I had to shop for a few weekly basics as well as Easter dinner.  Oh, my goodness... the stores were packed and it was quite early!

I didn't have a lot to spend on Holiday stock ups but I knew by taking advantage of deep discounts now, it would be good for my budget later.  The ham was half price and I'm thinking of going back for another to put in the freezer.  The jury is still out on that one as I do have other places for the food budget.

But I was able to stock up on frozen veggies and I was thrilled to find the frozen cooked brown rice packages on a 10 for $10.  They are perfect for when one is cooking for just two people and you want a quick starchy item for the menu.

One of my "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" foods was on a Holiday discount of about half price.  My title for these foods is because they tend to be unhealthy and perhaps not even real food.  However, I still purchase them because they are essential to certain recipes.  In this case it was Cool Whip but Velveeta cheese also falls under this category.

I bought one Cool Whip for the Easter dessert and two others for the deep freeze.  My husband was appalled when he saw the Cool Whip being placed in the grocery cart.  I should have stuck with the "Don't Tell" part of the story.  But Cool Whip for $1.00 was too good to pass up.

I told him it was for the Possum Pie I'm making for Easter dessert.  He thought I was joking but I assured him I was telling the truth.  I'm making Possum Pie Saturday (today) for Easter.  It has been awhile since I made it and I came to realize he didn't know that was the name for that particular dessert.  It is from an old Taste of Home article where they are asked to find favorite recipes from restaurants.

Those were my only stock up items but I do plan to go to Meijers Monday morning to see if they have the Hershey's Chocolate Kisses with Almonds half price.  If they do, I'll buy a couple bags for the pantry.  They are my husband's favorite treat and not mine.  I prefer the pure milk chocolate variety.  So that means they will last in the pantry.  ;)

I've learned to be appreciative when I can stock up a little and not let it bother me when I can't.  I've been waiting for a 10 for $10 sale on cream cheese but when it happened a few weeks ago, I didn't have $10 to spend on one item.  So I let it go... insert that song here... and made different plans for Easter dessert.  Which is how the decision to make a Possum Pie came about.

So... are you curious as to that recipe?  You can find it... here.  I'll try to remember to take a photo of it Sunday. 

ADDED NOTE:  I use Cool Whip instead of whipped cream as the top layer of the Possum Pie since I usually make it a day ahead of time and Cool Whip keeps better.  I also use 1-8 oz. cream cheese instead of 2-3 ounce cream cheese as the 8 ounce is usually what I have on hand.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

FYI, you can usually buy less than 10 for $1 each, on a 10 for $10 sale. My Meijer and Kroger allow that.

Vee said...

I was also shopping yesterday quite early trying to do the very same things that you were doing, but only having a few extra dollars for the task. Oh my, the store was packed and the goods were already quite picked over. I did the best I could and now I'm hoping for the best. Off to check out the Possum Pie. It better not have any possum in it. =D

Vee said...

Hmmm...that sounds yummy!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Yes! I should have mentioned I did buy two cream cheese when they were 10 for $10. I just didn't stock up.

Kim Stewart said...

I stocked up on Dole Pineapple since it was on sale for the holiday. Sale price combined with double coupons and SNAP app rebate
meant it was less that 25¢ a can so I bought 25 cans. I use it when baking my banana pineapple bread, eat it with dinner, use it in tangy ginger meatballs as well as grilling it for breakfast. So we will easily go through those 25 cans!

Rebecca said...

I ♥ THIS line: "I've learned to be appreciative when I can stock up a little and not let it bother me when I can't."

And I can't believe I might have missed the cream cheese on the 10/$10 special!

Mary said...

Hi Brenda, glad you're feeling better. I've been praying for you. That is a really tough flu - my sister had it, as well as some neighbors. They were down with it for a long time.
Thanks for the Possum Pie recipe.
Happy Easter, Mary

A Woman that Fears the Lord said...

I'm glad you are feeling better.

I live in California and can't remember when cream cheese has been that inexpensive. I wish we had a Kroger's.

It was very helpful to read how you passed up deals because you didn't have the money. I struggle with making those decisions at times.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

That pie sounds wonderful! I'd have to modify it a bit or just eat off plan! I was able to purchase a second ham at Aldi. It was .99 cents a pound. I love holiday sales.

I made some truffles today and a layered chocolate and peanut butter candy.

Have a wonderful Easter, my friend!

Deanna

mdoe37 said...

Well, I haven't really settled on dessert for Sunday yet. (Ya...its uh 8:45 p.m. EST Saturday night lol). I could throw together that Possum Pie I think. I would rather use sugar free pudding.....I'm not sure about those measurements though. Hmmm. I don't need to put the husband over the edge.

I was planning on strawberries and maybe a rusk torte. Separate in case someone wants just fruit.

Anonymous said...

Hi Brenda, glad your feeling better. I've never had Possum Pie
but I do have a recipe for field mouse pie, yes you need a field mouse ( I've never made it). It came from an 1800 cookbook.
Have a great Easter!
God bless you!
Sue

Unknown said...

So very pleased to read your over the Influenza.

I am the same over here in the UK, i never pass up a bargain if i've the money, as in the end its cost effective. Love the 2 for 1, or 3 for 2. My favorites here are the £ shops....

Have a Blessed Easter :)