Budgets are tight these days and people just don't have the money they used to for the little extras. Just because you're trying to save money, though, doesn't mean you no longer have gourmet tastes. When I decided to stay home and be a full-time mom, I had to do some serious budgeting. I was used to eating great food in fabulous restaurants but I learned that, if I wanted to make the new situation work, I would have to learn to cook and bake. That was quite some time ago. Now, I'm able to make many different kinds of great tasting meals that don't break the bank.

Baking my own bread is one way to cut costs and, honestly, it's easy and fun. I used to utilize a bread machine to make the dough before I baked it in the oven but it's really not necessary. Most of the time spent making bread is waiting for it to rise so, nowadays, I simply mix it in my Kitchenaid stand mixer and then go find something else to do while the dough rises. Yesterday afternoon, about 5:00, I was making dinner. I decided to make this quick and easy recipe for Buttery One Hour Yeast Rolls that I found in The Country Innkeepers' Cookbook by Wilf & Lois Copping. They turned out great. Buttery and tender, these rolls were done within the hour, with very little effort, and were a big hit with my entire family. And the best part? The entire meal was on the table by 6 pm and only cost a few pennies to make.