I’m not sure how it happened, but with the exception of a new cookie recipe, last week everything I made for dinner was something I had made before. Comfort food. Tis’ the season. 😉 Have you made the Mississippi Pot Roast recipe I shared on the blog last year? If not, you don’t know what you are missing. I always save pot roast juices and make a soup with them the next day and MAN OH MAN is it good.
Tuna casserole with Ritz cracker crumbs.
Cheesy Beef Tortilla Casserole. It’s the perfect recipe for using up the crumbs at the bottom of the chip bag.
Split pea and ham soup. Perfect for chilly fall afternoons.
A new gingerbread type cookie recipe. Anyone want the recipe?
For date day last week we drove to the town of Walpole, Massachusetts and split a plate of nachos at the Raven’s Nest Pub. The HH discovered the Phantom Gourmet channel on you tube a few weeks ago and now he has a list about a mile long of restaurants and towns to visit all over New England.
For our next date day were are headed to the Berkshires to check out the Norman Rockwell Museum and the studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French {the artist who designed the statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial, among other things}. We don’t have a place to stop for lunch yet, so if you know of a eatery nearby, pipe up! I LOVE recommendations. 😉
Costco $21.87
Friends with Costco memberships are cool. But I’m glad we don’t live super close to one anymore because seriously, how long is it going to take us to eat 92 mozzarella sticks?
Market Basket $72.26
Oakhurst milk is the best milk I’ve ever had and I am totally willing to pay $2 more a gallon for it. Also, why does it seem like we can’t leave market basket these days without a box of Good and Plenty and a big bag of Cape Cod chips? Also, peppers are sold by the pound there and I can usually get 4-5 red or orange peppers for about $3.50 a bag. At Costco, they’re like $6 and at Fred Meyer they were almost never under $1 each. Isn’t that strange? I wonder why that is?
Has anyone tried “Good Thins” crackers? At 3.75 ounces per box, I’m hesitant to try them when I can get 9 ounces of Wheat Thins for the same price.
Hey, if you are a market Basket shopper, be on the look out for the November Nature’s Market Basket booklet at the front of the store. There are $1.00 off coupons for both Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur Flour inside. King Arthur Flour is on sale for $2.99 this week and so with the coupon it’s only $1.99 a bag. 
Aldi $9.75
We stopped by ALDI yesterday to see if the Christmas cheeses that everyone keeps raving about were in stock yet {they weren’t} when I spotted a big aisle stuffed with their Christmas cookies and other needful treats. I picked up a few bags for myself {for research purposes of course} as well as an armload of goodness for a sweet giveaway tomorrow. 😉
The holidays… They’re almost here, and so is all the YUMMY FOOD!
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $103.88
Total Spent in November $165.51
Total Spent in October $218.57 <– Stocked up on cheese Because cheese is life}
Total Spent in September $180.97
Total Spent in August $259.90 <– $30 on salami splurge
Total Spent in July $276.56 < – $38 Spent on Amish meat and cheese
Total Spent in June $206.47 <- Attempting once a month grocery shopping
Total Spent in May on Groceries $216.50 <- Included a stock up trip to King Arthur Flour
Total Spent in April on Groceries $169.98
Total Spent in March on Groceries $306.75 <– Apartment life, moving across the country and settling into a new house
Total Spent in February on Groceries $259.81 <- Living in an apartment and buying a lot of ready-made meals
Total Spent in January on Groceries $240.15 <– Packing mode and not cooking from scratch as much
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Susan says
A few things: The Normal Rockwell Museum is a lot of fun. The setting is one of the most spectacular elements, and I recommend walking the grounds if the weather cooperates. As you know, the Berkshires in November i stricky because many of the big attractions ar eclosed, but you’ll still have a blast! A few places I’d highly recommend to eat are:
1. Elizabeth’s in Pittsfield. So different and delicious!! Look at reviews and a photo of the place in advance, or you’ll wonder where the heck you’re going (it’s a stand-alone house in what looks like an industrial complex). It’s cash only and you generally need a reservation. https://www.yelp.com/biz/elizabeths-pittsfield Highly recommend!
2.Berkshire Mountain Bakery in Housatonic. They sell their bread and pastries elsewhere, but a drive to Housatonic is a treat. Again, the setting is a little suprising. The storefront is small and situated along the river in an old mill (as I recall). The chocolate bread is incredible, as are the pastrices. http://berkshiremountainbakery.com/
3. For something different, the Crane Paper company is in Dalton (close to Pittsfield) and there’s a small, free and fascinating museum on site. The building is lovely, and if you have a tour guide, defintely ask for a tour. Our guide was a former factory employee who was so knowledgable (and had a bit of a sailor mouth, ha!).
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g41518-d481785-Reviews-Crane_Museum_of_Papermaking-Dalton_Massachusetts.html
Mavis Butterfield says
AWESOME! Thanks Susan.
Joanna says
How much were the cranberries at Market Basket? Costco has some (Ocean Spray) for $1.50 a pound. I wanted to see Aldi’s price too before I bought any. But Thanksgiving is getting closer and closer!
Mavis Butterfield says
Market Basket $1.50 for 12 ounces. ALDI $0.99 for 12 ounces. {we went to Market Basket first}.
Sabrina says
I love the Pot Roast recipe. When we have potlucks at work, that is what I have to bring. I use the instant pot for mine. LOVE it!
Maxine says
Saw an article an the wine and cheese Adventist calendars that said all stores sold out in minutes. Not restocking. Some stores only had 12
Lisa R says
Yes my stores near me didn’t get any. I asked. Why Aldi didn’t plan for this is disappointing.
CSirca says
I’m just laughing reading your mozzarella stick comment. In our house with 4 hungry little ones it takes 2 meals to go through them!
Connie says
I’ve bought the Good Thins crackers. They are good, but I agree with you, not worth $3.75 a box. I’ve bought them occasionally, when my store has a sale, 2 boxes for $5.00.
Dianna says
Phantom Gourmet is a great program! If he hasn’t already, HH may also enjoy watching Chronicle, which is sort of like a New England magazine on television. They feature not only restaurants but neat places all over New England to visit.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you!
Susan says
Yes, he’ll love Chronicle (although your “to visit” list will be a mile long!)
Mary Ann says
It’s not a suggestion for your upcoming trip to the Berkshires, but sometime while you’re in Massachusetts (north central) you should go to The 1761 Old Mill. http://www.1761oldmill.com/index.html
It was my favorite place when we lived in Fitchburg and Gardner for a few years in the 90s. We didn’t go to the regular restaurant often — instead, we used to go to the bar area. We aren’t big drinkers, but the view from there is great. It’s RIGHT over the river, just below where the old mill wheel used to turn. They have huge windows on one whole side, so it’s really cool just to sit at a table next to the windows and feel like you’re outside in nature while warm in such a historical building. In the cool months they always had a fire going in the fireplace in the bar and they used to serve a variety of crackers with horseradish cheddar spread (free!). And they had the best fritters with maple syrup and a yummy garden salad with parmesan peppercorn dressing.
This was all so long ago that I don’t know if it’s still the same now, but if it is, it’s worth the trip.
Also, there were beavers in the pond out front and lots and lots of ducks and geese that lived there. They served a variety of rolls with meals (including pecan rolls – delish!) and what the diners didn’t eat they put at the front desk in the restaurant for people to feed to the ducks and geese.
Never had a bad time at The Old Mill. There are some spooky areas of the building, but that’s to be expected in a building that old! From the bar, you have to go into the building and upstairs to go to the bathroom. At the top of the next set of stairs there’s a big room that is used for storage or something and is always dark. Very spooky feelings from there. lol
Wyoming Gal says
You might enjoy the NPS site in Cornish, N.H. – St. Gaudens National Historic site. This sculptor sculpted a number of monumental sculptures – including Lincoln (Lincoln Park in Chicago) and the “Glory” (movie) sculpture on the Boston Commons.
bobbi says
yes! the recipe please!!! 🙂
I haven’t been to Aldi this week yet, maybe tomorrow.
Kerri Adams says
Say what!? You were one town away from me when you went to Walpole! Phantom Gourmet and Chronicle are great shows. I was at Tatte last week and thought of you. So fun having you nearby and following your new discoveries.
Jennifer says
Good Thins are okay…pretty expensive for the gluten free lovers and not as yummy as some other brands…Maybe it is because of a lack of salt. Stick with the Wheat Thins if you ask me. 🙂
DebbieB says
If you’re going to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge you should visit the Red Lion Inn. It’s a historic landmark founded in 1773. I was there 2 years ago and had lunch in the main dining room. It was so elegant, we just loved it and the entire area also.
Pam says
That looks like a recipe I do but better for the pot roast. I’ve never done sooo with the broth do tell what you throw together it looks delicious. Also yes on the gingerbread cookie recipe, if you don’t mind!
Mona says
i too am curious about the Mississippi Pot Roast leftovers soup.
Mavis Butterfield says
Okay, I will work on a post. 🙂
Rita says
Sortof funny to see the package of cukes 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
I know, it’s so weird. So many of the vegetables are packaged that way.
Mel says
I’m still chipping away at the 100 lbs of apples we picked on Halloween, so we had pork chops with maple glazed apples, and I made 4 dozen cinnamon apple scones to freeze. I think we have about 50 lbs to go.
I’d love the gingerbread recipe and, if convenient, more information on turning leftover pot roast into soup. Do you need more broth or seasoning, or is the roast liquid enough? It looks fantastic!
Desi says
I’m curious how you like the “gefüllte Herzen Vollmilch”, the filled milk chocolate hearts. They are one of the most common christmas sweets here in germany. From what I’ve seen on your blog they could be right up your alley.
Guten Appetit!
Nekey says
Finally, someone who shares my love of Good and Plenty! 🙂
judy says
hi mavis,i have tried the good thins many times and i just looove them. you should give them a go!!!\\you will be pleasantly pleased im sure