Saving Money with a Fall Menu, Movies and Marathons

It is rainy, cold, and Starbucks has winter drinks with Christmas cups. Regardless of my harsh opinion that the day after Thanksgiving is the ONLY appropriate time for Christmas Cheer ( Are you listening retail? I know you're hurting but seriously, Christmas decor BEFORE Halloween, tisk-tisk), I am seriously enjoying this time of year. AND because I'm saving money ( new car of the way you know) I am trying all sorts of ways to get everything I want at home for little cost.

This is a great time for me to save some $$$ by cooking more. Next week we have Butternut Squash with Wilted Spinach and Spaghetti Squash Marinara on the way. I am really excited. I forgot how much I love cooking for fun. Staying in means I get to treat myself to homemade breakfasts and amazing wine and snacks at home. Petite Sirah, yes please. Fall James Gang Wine shipment is on the way and it couldn't come at a better time than when I'm cooking up a storm.

Cheap entertainment means revisiting movies I love, ones I own and can watch multiple times in a row without stopping. Revisiting them makes me go through so many different stages in my life. Hands down top 5 movies I can watch OVER and OVER  are:

1.) Ratatouille
2.) Zombieland
3.) Forgetting Sarah Marshall
4.) Hot Fuzz
5.) Waitress

Plus, thanks to the Alamo Drafthouse I can find plenty of free TV shows and movies I can go, get a pint, and come out with a beer and a show for only $5. The Walking Dead was AMAZING and I'm glad to see such a great adaptation. I know Powers and Chew are also being adapted by the same organization and I'm excited to see more great comic stories come to the small screen.

Other than cleaning, my cheap additional entertainment involves training for my half-marathon! It's two weeks away and I'm so excited. My family is all coming out and I'm really looking forward to running, finishing, and collapsing. Lately, I'm trying to run different routes in my area of Houston. It is a such a great time to be by myself and really just enjoy living.

And kiddos let me tell you...between wine, movies, food, and running...I am sure loving my life.

-HK