Why am I doing this?

So, I decided to start a blog. I've always thought blogs were interesting, and I love to write. So I thought, "Hey, Emily! Why not blog?" But then I thought, "What in the world is going on in my life that is interesting enough to put out on the internet?" It quickly came to me...while I was stirring.

For Christmas, my mom bought me a cookbook. Well actually, Gooseberry Patch sent her a promotional cookbook in the mail. I was the one to open the package when it arrived. She said she was going to send it back because she didn't want to have to pay for the subsequent cookbooks that would eventually come. I asked her not to because I wanted the book, which is entitled Quick and Easy Family Favorites. So my mom kept the book, wrapped it and made me wait a month and a half to start using it.

With the beginning of the new semester, I was DETERMINED to keep to my newly set budget. I had $120 a month budgeted for food and significantly less money for eating out. One of my weaknesses as a money manager has always been eating fast food or at restaurants. Especially in college, it's so easy to just run to a fast food place and eat something already prepared for you. I knew that in order to stick to my budget I would have to cook more for myself. Cooking also comes with other benefits. I'll probably be eating more healthily, spending less money, spending more time with my boyfriend as I prepare meals and have him help me and also building skills for the future.

I have always enjoyed cooking. Even though my dad and brother always tease me about having inadequate skills, calling my cookies "bars of death," I still always try to enhance my skills. So, now I have decided to incorporate my new adventure in cooking with my continuous love of the written word. I'm hoping that this blog will give me an opportunity to share my recipes and experiences with you, whoever you are, as I try to stay on budget and try new recipes that most college students probably think are out of their reach. I'm not trying to inspire anyone, but if someone gets a good recipe idea or a laugh out of this, then I'll be happy.

So far this semester I have made:
Chicken Cracker Casserole
Cedar Plank Salmon
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Magic Bars
Spaghetti
Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Cake Mix Cookies
Fudgey Pudding Cake
Chicken Pot Pie
Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Pot Roast
Baked Penne Pasta
Steamed Veggies
Steak with New Potatoes
Sausage Potato Soup
Enchiladas
Fajitas

I'm sure there are others that I've left out, and it should be noted that Caine has helped with many of these either as the griller or provider of meat. All of these are wonderful recipes.

I can't wait to try more recipes and write about them. However, today is Tuesday. This means that dinner tonight consisted of a Lean Cuisine eaten hurriedly in the library before I start work as a tutor. I'm hungry now and will probably eat a grilled cheese at home before bed.

Signing off...