Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Wonderful, Wonderful Wednesday

I am nearing the end of my carless week, and it hasn't been nearly as bad as expected. I will back tomorrow to tell you all the things I have learned about myself and saving money during my time at home.

Before that, though, I have to tell you about my unexpected treat in the middle of the week. As you know if you have been reading my blog for a while, I LOVE fountain diet coke. I like diet coke out of a can, but there is something about diet coke from a fountain that just makes my life complete. I love it. And normally Ada and I go to Sonic happy hour everyday when she wakes up from her nap for an 86 cent large diet coke. I look forward to it all day. Obviously we did not go to Sonic this week, and I was having fountain diet coke withdrawals. Not to mention that I am drastically cutting down on my diet coke consumption, so we really didn't have any in the house either. Pair all of this with yet another door to door guy trying to sale me a vacuum (he somehow manipulated himself into my house and stayed for over an hour--I promise, I don't know how he got in) and I was in desperate need of something last night.

Well, in addition to all of the above, we were out of milk. And Ada really doesn't go to bed without her milk. So...when Scott got home from work, he loaded Ada and me into his car--our first time in a car since Sunday!!!--and we went through the McDonald's drive through to purchase two milks and a large diet coke. My hero hubby. All paid for with gathered change. It made my day. In fact, it made my entire week. And it was just what I needed to get me through the Wednesday hump.

To top it ALL off, we had a wonderful dinner waiting on us when we got back to the house--16 bean soup that had been simmering all day in the crock pot. Ya'll, it was so yummy. We all three agreed. Ada ate her weight in beans last night, I think. She loved it. We loved it. And it was actually gray and cool outside. Perfect bean soup weather. Remember, I got this idea from Crockpot 365--please check out this blog!!!

Here is what I did.

I bought a bag of 16 bean soup from the bean aisle at Kroger, for less than 2.00. I dumped that bag into the crockpot yesterday morning. I added a packet of french onion soup mix, and a handful of onions from a bag in the freezer. I then covered the beans in water. At this point I was racking my brain because I knew that ham was supposed to go into bean soup, but I didn't have any. What I did have, however, was some uncooked bacon in the fridge that needed to be used. I cut up three large pieces of uncooked bacon and dumped them in the soup, and I let it cook on low all day. I checked it periodically, and when the water was soaked up, I just added more. The soup was very creamy and full of flavor. And oh so cheap. Right now we are contemplating eating it every week. I am sure we will rethink that, though.

Seriously, you need to try this recipe. And for more crockpot cooking, check out Slow Cooker Thursdays.

7 comments:

Jessica said...

I laugh because I too LOVE fountain Coke. John doesn't get it but I crave Coke's from McDonald's. I agree, they're so much better than a coke in the can! So I totally understand. And we too make runs for icecream or a Coke on our bottle of change we keep stored for those "emergencies!" How funny! Gland you got to enjoy the Diet Coke. I know it was well worth it! AND...by the way..vaccuum people invited themselves into our house on Saturday. John wasn't too thrilled they came in when he wasn't home but I told him they just force their way in.

Sandra said...

Yum, that sounds great :)

Mari said...

I love bean soup - thanks for sharing!

Lindsay said...

I love sonic drinks! I'm a cherry coke fan, and they do it right - with the add in flavor. I love those surprise treats like that!

Ashley Turnbull said...

Because of YOU and 365crockpot (which I subscribe to as well), I too bought 16 bean soup at the store this week. Now, Adam hates soup, so somehow I will have to sneak it in to another meal - grilled cheese maybe?

Also, your blog a/b diet coke makes me want to go to McDonalds too!

Overwhelmed! said...

I love the sounds of this! Thanks for sharing. :)

Milla said...

OH I love little treats like that! They really can make the whole day or week wonderful! And, thanks for telling us about the soup. That looks great!