DIY Taco Seasoning Mix

Family Feasts for $75 a Week 

Last winter I told you about Mary Ostyn's cookbook called Family Feasts for $75 a Week.  My copy is stained and torn, and we have loved every recipe that we have tried.  (If you like, you can read my full review here.)

Recently, on Mary's blog called Owlhaven, I noticed that she posted her recipe for DIY Taco Seasoning Mix that is found in her cookbook. This recipe is an excellent substitute for the little packets that you can buy in the grocery store, and it is so much tastier. I have been using this recipe exclusively ever since I purchased her cookbook several years ago and I am thrilled that she posted it so that I could share the link with you!

DIY Taco Seasoning Mix

Mary has lots of great recipes, money saving household tips, and parenting advice to share, so be sure to click over to Owlhaven to check it out!

Recipe Note: I typically omit the cornstarch called for in this recipe with great results.

Investment Cooking

Today, my friend Terri is arriving from Texas for a visit. I am really pleased to have her here to help me with the back to school shopping. Plus, her visit has given me the motivation to get serious in my kitchen again. I have done some investment cooking over the last few days and it feels good to have my pantry and freezer stocked with healthy, homemade convenience foods.

I have made...

Italian Seasoning Mix

Seasoned Brown Rice

Burritos

I have also cooked up two pounds of dry pinto beans and a large batch of chicken for Teriyaki Chicken and Chicken Caesar Salad. I even made Chicken Broth with the leftover chicken bones. I have to say, cooking is good therapy!

Our Hearts Are Broken

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

It has been over a month since I have been here, and I have missed it. However, we have faced unbelievable tregedy and we are just now starting to make sense of our loss. Only two weeks after we moved into our new home, my husband stepped out of our front door to go for a run and was struck by a car. He died the next day due to severe head injuries. Although our grief is heavy, we know for certain that he was welcomed into eternity by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And, we take great comfort in the fact that we will one day join him in heaven.

I will continue blogging here, but I am not ready to jump into it again right now. However, you will be glad to know that I have made my way back into my kitchen; and, I have found great comfort in my routine cooking and baking tasks.  So, until I am able to return to You Can Make That, please be sure to keep us in your prayers.

The Summer Kitchen

I read this book the week before we moved. It was a good, light read that was perfect for taking my mind off of the move before I went to sleep at night. I did not realize, until I sat down to write this review, that the author is from the Texas Hill Country not far from where we lived. Lisa Wingate has written many other books and I will probably check them out more thoroughly once we have settled into our new house.

The Summer Kitchen  written by Lisa Wingate

Sandra’s world is crashing down all around her. She is lonely and confused. So, she begins spending her days at her Uncle Poppy’s house. Although she begins by doing some cleaning and painting to prepare to sell the house, she finds herself with a secret mission to care for those in need.

This is a story about love and hurt, restoration and new beginnings. It addresses family issues such as adoption, marriage struggles, death, hunger, and poverty. But most importantly, it illustrates that even a few humble peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can made a big difference in the lives of those in need. I would recommend this book to someone that enjoys a quick read with a strong moral emphasis. And, it is obvious from the title that is an appropriate read for the summer.

My Budding Chef!

The other day, while eating lunch, my little one decided that she wanted a second sandwich. Well, the rule at our house is that you have to wait for seconds until everyone has finished their first helping.  So, not wanting to wait, she went to the counter and made her own peanut butter and jelly sandwich! This is the first time she had ever attempted making any food on her own and she did a great job. She was so proud of herself that she started jumping and dancing around the kitchen and singing about making her own lunch. Since then, she has made a number of sandwiches on her own and she has even moved on to putting jelly on her own biscuits in the morning. My little one is growing up!

This post has been linked to Try New Adventures Thursday.

Zucchini Salad

I am super excited to have a local farmer that sets up a daily stand around the corner from my house. The farm stand is so close that we are able to walk to it! We have enjoyed fresh, local tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, and zucchini.  And, the low prices have encouraged me to try new recipes and be more adventurous.

We first tried this salad at a friend’s house about a year ago. When I asked for the recipe, my friend told me to slice the veggies and toss them with vinaigrette. Below is the recipe that I have used ever since. The Zucchini Salad pictured above was made with small squash, so I just sliced them thinly. However, if you use larger squash, you may want to cut your squash in half lengthwise before slicing them. (This will make the salad easier to eat.)

Zucchini Salad

2 small or 1 large zucchini

2 small or 1 large yellow squash

Small bunch of green onions

Salt to taste

Dressing:

3 Tbsp. olive oil

1 ½ tsp. red wine vinegar

1 ½ tsp. sugar (raw or white)

Slice zucchini and yellow squash thinly into a bowl. Slice green onions and add to bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the ingredients for the dressing and whisk together. Pour over the veggies. Toss to combine and salt to taste. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.

Frugal Tip: Farmer’s Markets often have incredibly low prices on in-season produce. Be sure to take advantage of the savings and learn how to prepare these fruits and vegetables. And, if you have time, preserve some by canning or freezing for the future.

This post has been linked to Frugal Tuesday Tip.

My New Kitchen

For the first time in almost a month, I am sitting down to write a live post. And, it feels good. All of what you have seen here on You Can Make That for the last three weeks was written long before our move. But, today is the day that I have decided to return to routine. Not only am I publishing a live post, I have also planned a menu for the week, created a grocery list, and plan to shop this morning.

As with any move, we have encountered many hiccups over the last few weeks, but we have also been showered with many blessings. One of those blessings is our new kitchen. This picture was taken before our household goods were delivered and unpacked.  I am certainly enjoying cooking and baking in my new kitchen and I already have lots of new recipes to share with you that have been created here.

In the picture above, you will notice some decals on the tile backsplash. They are gold leaves and were definitely not to my liking. I used a razor blade to remove them immediately! My backsplash now looks sparkling clean and simple.

Many of you have sent me thoughtful messages and have offered heartfelt prayers on our behalf during our transition. Thank you all for your love and concern. We have truely been blessed by your expressions of friendship.

This post has been linked to Mop It Up Mondays.