Day 9: Frugal Hospitality

Monday was a wonderful day. Dani and I baked chocolate chip cookies for the girls to take to school tomorrow in honor of the letter "C". She also helped me clean. There's nothing quite like watching a three year old mop the kitchen floor. I wish I had thought to take a picture. She just loves to "help".

I've been thinking about 30 Days of Nothing and how this will affect some guests that we'll be having. Friday we're having a small debate party and I'm planning to serve some snacks. I just need to determine what we can make that will not take me over my grocery budget (and still taste yummy).

Because in a couple weeks, we're having some weekend houseguests. Two very good friends and their three children will be coming. They are not really of a frugal mindset. Although they're certainly not spendthrifts either. They also have a bit more money than we do as they both work. So, I need to plan some easy, delicious meals: two dinners, two breakfasts and two lunches.

We usually order pizza the first night because we're never exactly sure when they'll arrive. But that definately isn't going to work with what's left of the budget. So I was thinking a big pot of chili and some warm bread or a pan of ziti and garlic bread. Breakfasts are easy enough: eggs or pancakes, we almost always have ingredients like that on hand. But I'm still thinking about what to make for Saturday's dinner and the lunches.

I know I need to take a look at the list of contents of the Angelfood box we ordered. Maybe I can use something there to feed the ten of us.