The kids around here went back to school today, but you can't make me start. No, sir. I need to feel the Fall-is-Coming-cool breeze before I begin homeschooling. (Not that we really quit during the summer-but sh!-don't tell the charges.) Fall is still many ice cream cones and days by the pool away. And what about summertime dill pickles? You need to make them while you can eat them with a grilled cheeseburger on the patio. One of my loyal readers requested that I kindly repost the recipe. They're so easy to make, even a seven year old can do it. Here's proof-this is my West making pickles on youtube. (Warning-it lasts seven minutes, so you may not want to watch unless you are struck by insomnia or you are eleven months pregnant, craving pickles, and relegated to bed rest. Or just because you feel like it.) Here's the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K027V7LTuLUIn
In other news, I'm still gushing about Food on the Table. (Hopefully there'll be stores in every neck of the woods, across the nation soon so that we can all gush together.) It's so fantastic to select sale items from my grocery store and have recipes and grocery lists generated for me. Look what's on my menu this week, thanks to Food on the Table.
Here's my grocery list. 
And this is how much I spent for my entire week's worth of groceries: $53.49!
I didn't just buy food for my recipes. I bought the usual stuff too, like cereal, milk, yogurt, orange juice, ice cream, baking staples and lunch foods. I had some produce in the garden and some staples on hand-but honestly, I'd say I saved an absolute bundle. I'm hopeful it will be a useful tool for all of my readers! Give it a try. Oh and one more thing-have you bought any Push Up popsicles this summer? 
(And in case you're wondering-no he doesn't brush his hair in the summer. Unless it's Sunday. And even then, not so much.) This is West's winning design on the package! You can't see it too well in the picture, but it's a little robot all made from Push Up popsicles. Oh wait-here's a better picture. 
Come by and have one at our house. 
They're all the rage with the whippersnappers that don't go back to school in August. Refrigerator Dill Pickles
Estimated cost: $5.00
Notes: The price will vary depending on the cost of your local cucumbers, but it's still going to be lots cheaper than purchasing pickles.
about 10 Kirby cucumbers, sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
fresh dill, about 10 sprigs
6 cups water
2 cups vinegar
1/4 cup salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon black pepperLayer cucumbers, onion, and garlic in clean glass bottles. In a medium saucepan, boil water, vinegar, salt and sugar. Let cool for five minutes. Pour over cucumbers in jars to cover and refrigerate. (If you run out of liquid, just add equal parts water and vinegar.) Cucumbers will be best after one week-but I can never wait that long. Good luck!
Coming Soon...(In no particular order, or as the mood strikes)
Mexican Grilled Corn, Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, Blueberry-Walnut-Maple Granola, Blue Cheese Rib Eye Steaks, Tomatillo Guacamole
I answered a few questions about what we were in the mood to eat, and then I sat back and let the computer figure out my menu-and how much money I'd be saving by using the in store specials in the recipes. 
We'll be having chicken fettucini alfredo, mozzarella cubed steak, and balsamic and blue cheese tilapia fillets. All of the recipes are easy to print, email, or save in your personal files. Plus-you see exactly how much money you can save with each recipe.
You can then print your grocery list, your recipes, your meal plans-or you can email them to yourself to use when you are ready. 
There it is, waiting in my inbox. I'll probably add a few items to my list before I make it to the grocery store. 
That's it! Once a week, you can spend five minutes and access store specials and customized recipes to help you plan your menu. I may not follow the recipes to the letter, but I love having some ideas generated that are linked to sale items. I'm sold!
Next, she picked a participating grocery store in her area. 
She clicked on a few categories of food that her family regularly eats. 
She selected items from her list that were also on sale at her grocery store.
She customized her plan by choosing time saving recipes for this week. (Good idea since she's got four kids under the age of 7.)
Within seconds, the computer had generated recipes. 
She's making pasta with Italian sausage and ground beef. (The kids will love it!) 
Look what she saved on just this one meal. 
She reviewed her grocery list 
...and hit print. That was it! Next week it'll be even faster for her, since she won't have to spend thirty seconds registering.
Give it a try and tell me how you like it!