Keeping one step ahead of my kids

This past Thursday evening was yet another free opportunity for me to see a live performance at the university. This time it was a student recital. I haven't enjoyed this many theater and music productions since my own university years. Theater daughter was working the backstage for the performance.

So, I met up with both daughters, we had a bite to eat, and went to the recital. Although the performances are free, my daughters have become accustomed to us spending a small sum of cash on treats in the Student Union Building. One daughter loves the cup of chocolate chunk cookie poppers (bite-sized cookies), and the other daughter enjoys the salads and fruit cups.

Even on 50% off nights, this adds up. What's a budget mama to do?

Thursday afternoon, I baked a batch of my own chocolate chip cookie poppers, and made a good-sized salad to take down to campus with me. And I even brought a treat for myself. I made a thermos of herb tea just for me (the girls don't always care for my selections in tea -- all the more for me).

We still bought 1 bagel sandwich to split between the three of us. But this was a far cry from buying several items off the menu. There's a large common area in the SUB where we sat, talked about the day, and enjoyed our treats before the performance.

Weekend brunch: waffle bar

On Saturday's, I make something special for breakfast, and make it substantial enough to call it brunch -- so I don't have to make lunch just a few hours later ;-) .

This past weekend, we had a waffle bar. I made whole wheat waffles, and set out several toppings to choose from: canned pineapple chunks, frozen strawberries (from last summer's garden), vanilla yogurt, maple syrup and whipped cream.

Other toppings that we've enjoyed include chopped nuts, dried fruit, cottage cheese, ham dices, banana slices, applesauce, fresh orange segments, shredded coconut, jam and jelly, blackberry syrup (homemade with wild-picked blackberries), frozen raspberries and blueberries (also from last summer's garden).

It's one of those whatever-I-have -on-hand sort of meals. I try to include a source of protein (besides the waffles themselves), some fruit and some fun stuff.

Waffle bars are always a hit with our family. I think that's due to having the opportunity to customize your own waffle.