One of Those Weeks - Behind Already!

 Hello all my sweet friends.  Welcome and I hope all are well.

It is a lovely morning here - the sun is shining and it is cool.  It will get to 90*F today.  I have been wrangling cats and shooing off Rocky the racoon this morning!!!!!  Rocky is not afraid of anything - it even came to the back door this morning as if it were asking if breakfast was ready.  Geesh what a morning.

To top that off - I was thinking it was Monday!!!!!!!!

Holidays do that to me all the time, and I am not sure why.  I no longer work, and all my days are the same.  I guess maybe because all the neighbors were home yesterday?  That is all I can think of.

This is just about every morning here for me!  Considering it is just me - that is a lot of goodies.  I do share with neighbors, and I am trying to use things up with canning and other ideas.  My garden is smallish - so I think I am doing pretty darn good.  

It sure is something to walk out back and get a bounty like this each morning.  Some mornings the basket is almost full of peppers and others it is tomatoes.  I eat a lot of both daily.

This weekend (Sunday and Monday) the weather was just about perfect.  I got to sit on the porch a lot and enjoy the quiet of the neighborhood.  Mornings are the best, as hardly no one was out.  I also did walks - which I had suspended during the extreme heat.  

Sitting on the porch, I am about 6' from the hummingbird feeder, and those little jewels were a constant guest at it.  It is the same with the one by the kitchen.  Standing at my kitchen window I am about 3' from it. 

I seem to have 4 hummers (all look different), and boy are they eating.  I keep trying to convince myself they were enjoying the cooler days - but I am afraid they are gearing up to leave.  It is about that time.

Generally, they leave by mid-September.  I leave feeders out until in Oct. for stragglers coming through.

It is so cool sitting there, watching them.  I hear their little chirps and then here they come - drinking, chasing each other and sometimes just hovering in front of me!  I tell myself they are saying 'thank you' - but they are probably wondering what that thing in front of them is!!!!!

I envy people that get to have them all year - I know some people do.

Shoot, I even put the trash bin out yesterday evening, as Tuesday is our pick-up day.  Not this week - it will be a day later.  So, part of me was thinking it was Monday, another part was thinking it was Sunday.  Holidays do mess my head up!

I hope you all had a great long weekend.  I didn't do anything special here at all.  

What was up for your weekend?  Did you have any last of the summer celebrations?

Well, I hope you that work, have a good shorter week. 

Have a beautiful day, stay cool and stay healthy.

Share a smile today!

Weekly Wrap Up 9/6

Happy Sunday to all.  Happy Labor Day weekend to all that celebrate.  So happy you are here, and I hope you are all well.  Hard to believe that we are almost a week into September!!!!  

It is a positively lovely morning here.  69*F and humidity levels are dropping.  The sun is out, the kitties all have a full belly, and I have the AC off at the moment.

I think we have turned the corner on the extreme heat in these parts of the country.  We have a couple 90 days coming up this coming week, but it looks to be much better after that.  I saw a projected outlook, and it was a lot of 70's and dry (very dry).

We did have the hottest stretch of weather for my city for the first part of Sept. in my lifetime this week!  It was easily 95* each day - that was ACTUAL temp.

I am so glad we all seem to be past the debacle of blogger from Friday.  Golly, that was frustrating.  I thought it was just me, so I worked and worked trying to figure out the problem, then I got to looking at everyone else's blogs and the same thing - no comments after a certain time.  Boy, I hate wasting time like that. 

I had another incident earlier in the week with a flashing warning, that I had been infected and needed to renew my security, as it had expired.  Well, I knew I DIDN'T have the security company they kept saying, and MY computer said I was fully secure.  I kept trying to get rid of the flashing annoying warning and finally figured out how to block it!

I get so sick of scammers - they need to get a real job!!!!!!

My frugal week:

• Early in week (cooler) I weeded and trimmed the raspberry area - both sides of fence
• Lots of HARVEST of tomatoes and peppers
• Made a nice bowl of bean salad
• Cut up a couple old, beyond repair t-shirts for rags
• Mowed the front grass and trimmed on Monday - back didn't get done this week
• Laundry using dehumidifier water
• I have been keeping the little yogurt cups I have been eating - figure there has to be a use.  Maybe frozen treats
• I made a small batch of sweet banana pepper relish (nummy)

• Pulled weeds and deadheaded flowers out front in early mornings
• Using the rain barrels and the soaker this week for watering
• Hummingbird feed (it goes skunky quick in this heat)
• I went to an event for high school class.  I think this was the most enjoyable I have been to.  I met many new people (after 50+) years, and it wasn't a huge gathering
• I did run to the feed store to get supply for fall and then to Ollies around the corner.  I did buy myself a set of Corelle dishes - did I need? - NOPE.  I have Fiesta style dishes and they are lovely, but oh so heavy - so it is time to pass those on to someone else to enjoy.  I wanted lighter weight dishes
• Just doing all the fall cleaning and normal stuff around the house
• Still battling gnats - thank goodness for the Zevo - it helps a lot - but I still have plenty.  I guess once harvests are done, they will be gone

Meals this past week:

Fresh & frozen veggies w/smoked sausage - stir fry

Lasagna (helping from freezer) and salad

Bean & rice burritos

Nachos/taco salad (kind of a combo)

School event - pizza

Chicken strips, potato wedges and tomatoes

Patty sausage/egg sandwich and salad

SNACKED on fruit, yogurt, bean salad, toast

There you have it - nothing too exciting here.  

I did sit out on the porch for a couple hours yesterday morning and it was so quiet.  I would hear the hummingbirds chirp as they were approaching the feeder just a few feet in front of me, a chorus of crickets (sounds like thousands), and kids outside playing.  The traffic was minimal - it was so nice out.  I talked with a couple neighbors too - saw the young man a couple doors down w/his little girl out tending the flowers and walked down to talk to them.  Another neighbor came to mow next door and talked with him a bit.  Just a lovely cooler morning.  I really like those kind of days!

What have you been up to?  How are the gardens doing?  Any great deals this week?  I sure am missing some of you - I hope you check in and let us know you are ok.

I hope you are all well and safe and that you all have a fantastic week ahead.  

Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

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Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.

Jeremiah 33:3

Lord, we send up much gratitude for all the blessings that we have experienced this week - we are so very blessed.  Help us each one to know that all we need to do is call out to You and ask, and You will answer.  Our prayers are heard, and Your will be done.  Let us all be grateful and have hearts full of love, and to know that You are always there with us.  AMEN

TEST

 Just testing - having problem with comments

Anyone else having problems with commenting???

EDIT:  It seems no one has comments after Thursday evening.  Something is definitely wrong with blogger - ALL DAY Friday so far.

I worked trying to figure out for myself for hours - it seems to be all blogs.  HOPE they get it FIXED soon!

Oh the Days - I do Remember

 Hello to all, and a happy Thursday to you all.  Glad to have you here.  Hope this finds you all doing well.  It is a sunny and nice morning, and it is going to get HOT again.  Yep, the heat is on here in Indiana.  Looks like it is going to stick around for a while.  

I got up late this morning - ugh!  I hate doing that.  I woke up and looked at the clock (2 clocks) and it was an hour before my usual time to get up.  So laid there, to doze for a few.  Then I woke up almost 2 hours later!  I haven't overslept that much in years.  A few minutes here and there, but never an hour.  I will feel behind all day.  Bits overslept too!  Guess we both needed it.

This sure did show up at an appropriate time.  Some days we feel older than others.

I remember all of these things!  Now a couple of them might be because I had older siblings - but I do remember.  I think all but 2 were actually in my life at home.  We were done with the party line by the time I came along (but did have that phone in the picture), and we didn't have a Studebaker.  All the rest - you bet!

I would get off the bus in early years of high school and go in the hardware and get a dime bottle of cold pop!  The old machine you had to bend over and move the pop through channels.  Shoot I even had a couple metal ice trays here.  My brother loved Blackjack gum - my favorite was Teaberry!!!!

Boone's Farm was my first alcohol drink!!!  .98 a bottle if I remember correctly!!  LOL

We always had milk delivered when was young.

Yep, I remember the good old days - and they were good to me.  I wouldn't mind going back for a bit.  It was such a simpler time.

Appropriate time, I said - well today is the annual class of '73 high school birthday party.  We get together once a year (an informal type reunion - less people) and celebrate whatever birthday most are at this point.  Today the party celebrates 71 years.  Many of us are closer to 72 - but that is ok.  It is just a nice little gathering (around 75 people) our reunions are huge.  OK, the funny part is it starts late afternoon and ends early evening - doesn't that say old???!!!!!  LOL

I am just happy to be here and still have so many people around that I grew up with.  It is always a fun time to reminisce.  I don't get out and go a lot but do enjoy gathering with old friends now and then.

So, are you "older than dirt" too??

Have a wonderful day and remember how blessed you are - no matter your age!

Life is such a gift.

Crafting on My Mind

 Good morning all.  Hope you are all well and safe.  Thank you for visiting today.

It was 77*F when I got up before dawn this morning.  It is going to be another very hot one.  I have set for a bit this morning watching all the kitties out back playing and having a ball watching birds.  They get their playing out in the morning and then after dusk - in the cooler parts of the day right now. Otherwise, they lay in the shade and rest.

Rocky the racoon played havoc with things last night.  Their water bowls were dirty, then the birdbath of the handrail was knocked half off and the water bowl on the hose case was knocked off.  You can tell it was him, because of the dirty water.  Aaarrgh!  So, I had to get things back in order - this has happened twice in the past few days.

Here we are in September now - I am sorry to mention it, but the holidays aren't that far off.  I start thinking about crafting in September, because it is nice to get things done and ready so there is no rushing around at the holidays.

Laura at harvest Lane Cottage even mentioned this is National Sewing Month.  So yep, it is time.

You mentioned you liked that cut patchwork pillow I showed last week in a post - a very simple yet cute item to make.  Something like that would be great for adults or make a version for a teen.  

There are lots of fun things to make.  I have been looking and keep pictures of ideas of things I might like to make for others.  Some for kiddos and some for adults - some fun and some practical.

Here are a few.

Another cute pillow idea using a variety of old jeans.  You could also make a smaller version using a pocket for the 'tooth fairy'.  Or one with a pocket for their phone or a hidden keepsake spot.  So many ideas.

A  cute purse or tote.  Use Velcro as a closure at top if making a purse (or a snap) - big or small - would make nice reusable grocery bags.  Looks like a pocket in front - great place for a grocery list on a shopping bag!

Great idea for kiddos room for art supplies or tiny toys.  How about someone who does scrap booking or sewing.  Would work on maybe a smaller size for the kitchen for small utensils - or heck, even bigger to hold packets and such.

I love this - I have 2 littles that always like helping mommy bake - so thinking about some version of it for both of them.  I would even like one - any cat lover would.

This would be much easier to make - looks so cute.  I just love the country look.  I can see it as a gift with maybe a couple spatulas in the pockets or some measuring spoons - so many ways to present it.

Cute ideas for the youngsters.  Cuddle buddies!!!!

There are so many ways to use fabric scraps, old clothes that no longer get worn (cut them up), finding fabrics for cheap at thrift stores, remember you can use old sheets and pillowcases for fabric as well.

Just some cute ideas to get started now.  Most are quite easy and would only cost pennies to make.

If you are looking for or need an idea that is special for that person, who has everything - bet they don't have something cute like these ideas.

I feel for people that don't like getting homemade items - I know some people don't.  Boy, I do, as I know a lot of thought and love was put into it.

Are you crafting anything already for the holidays?  My canning will be part of the baskets again this year.  Soon to be making jelly and salsa - always expected.

I really do want to get some sewing done early as well.  Heaven knows I have a ton of fabrics and scraps to choose from.

Have a beautiful day and stay cool and safe.

Making Our Groceries at Home

 Hello to all and welcome to September!!!!  Can you believe it?  How can 8 months already be gone in this year?  I know many love this time of the year - the 'ber' months.  They can be enjoyable, but around here we are anything but brrrrrrr this week!  Today should be the hottest day of the YEAR, if they predict correctly!  Yeah, saying 94/95*F actual temps today.  ICK.  It is going to be hot all week before cooling about 10 degrees for next. Last year we had no 90's after this point - won't be the case this year!!!

It did feel nice out there this morning, but I am sure it won't last long.  Glad there is plenty of shade and water for the kitties.

Oh, wouldn't it be nice today?  I would love that everything be natural and not all the added ingredients and chemicals that are put in foods today.  No wonder we have so many obese folks on this planet and those with illness - our food is full of hormones, chemicals and things we can't even pronounce.

We can do better - it just takes a little bit of work.  We can make the biggest part of our groceries!  What does that mean?  It means using INGREDIENTS - not premade convenience foods.  It means just buying ingredients at the grocery, and looking for better places to get those groceries.

I know - because it will be said - there are those that just aren't going to do this.  They like the convenience.  Yes, it is nice at times, but it sure isn't as healthy.  This is for those trying for a healthier lifestyle and saving a bit of change.  Convenience is costly!

By saying ingredients - I mean things like sugar, flour, baking needs, beans, rice, pasta, plain meat, vinegar, cocoa, peanut butter (I know you can make as well) fruit, veggies - items that can be made into multiple things.

We can make dry mixes to have on hand for things like biscuits, bread, waffles, pancakes, pie crust, pizza crust, sweets, tortillas, cake/brownie mixes, etc.  It makes it quick and easy to make things at home - just add wet.  Keeps us from being tempted to go shop.

With many of these things, you can make other things.  BREAD - croutons, dressing, crumbs, etc.   TORTILLA - can be burritos, wraps, tacos, enchiladas, even chips.

Not good at making pretty pies?  Make a galette.  Super easy, tasty and rustic.  You can use any fruit, One crust folded around the fruit, an egg wash w/a bit of sugar on crust and bake.  YUM and so easy.

I am not saying we don't buy things at stores - just buy more basic things.  Frozen veggies and fruits (plain) work great for all sorts of things.  They are usually flash frozen and just plain.  Canned - look at the label.  You want things packed in water or fruit juice - no added ingredients.  

You can use in conventional ways, or get creative.

Make your own sauces, syrups, jelly, relishes, butters, purees, etc.  

Find a deal on cranberries after Thanksgiving?  Make relish or juice or sauce and freeze or can for later.

Pumpkins - make puree to make pies later on.

Apples - sauces, eating, pies, baked goods, etc.

Too much zucchini - pickles, relish, dehydrate, grate for bread, etc.

You see what I mean - get creative.

Click on pic to enlarge.

These things are all so very easy to dehydrate to use for later.  I have many of them on hand.  You don't have to have a dehydrator or a fancy machine - you can use the oven (on low), some can air dry, and I have heard some say they use air fryers (I haven't tried that).

I have mushrooms, zucchini, celery and bananas at the moment and herbs.  I have made jerky very successfully in the past.  I have also done peppers and onions (they do smell - so I did those outside).

You can freeze things - you can can things.

All these things can be used quickly in soups!  The most basic (an inexpensive) thing we can make!!!!

I can make any type of beans or legumes from dry ones - it just takes planning.  I have rice and pastas to go with all things.  I have dried potatoes (flake and cubes).  Meats of all sorts - whatever type of meat you have or can afford - think of multiple ways of serving it, so you don't get bored.  I mean there are probably a hundred ways to use ground meats - pork, chicken, or beef can be fixed dozens of ways.

Shoot you can even make your own laundry soap if you desire.  That is one thing I have never done - because of great sales - I always have plenty.  I do buy free and clear - because I can't do the perfumes.

Truly there isn't much we can't make from just basic INGREDIENTS!

COOKBOOKS is another thing we all need!  Paper hard copy cookbooks.  You never know when you won't have the Internet to count on - have those books.  They are tried and true recipes for just about anything you can count on!

So think about these things and get ready for winter.  It may keep you plenty full, on days when weather doesn't permit you getting out and it may actually save you some money.  I think many of us older gals know these things (some may not) but I hope it helps someone get some ideas.  These are great ideas, when feeding a family - such a savings.

Have a wonderful day and remember how blessed you truly are.

Weekly Wrap Up 8/30

 Hello to all and happy day to you all.  Hope this finds you well.

My goodness, here we are at the end of another month.  On Tuesday we start the beginning of the 'ber' months - which generally means fall and cooler temperatures.  We have had a wonderful week this past week weatherwise, but that will soon be changing.  It is going to get HOT for the whole week!  Looks to be the dog days of summer as they say.  We are to be in the 90's all week and high humidity.  Oh fun - not!

Some call September 1 the beginning of fall - others are starting their spring.  I generally go by the equinox (9/22), not so much the beginning of the month.

It is cloudy here this morning and was 69* when I got up.  Going to almost 90 today.  Kind of hope it stays cloudy - well, the sun is now out some.

My frugal week:

• Mowed and trimmed the entire yard earlier in the week.  Cleaned the mower well
• Cleared out the storm drain out front again - it was full and no one else does it
• Got to have the AC off a lot this past week, and fresh air in the house
• HARVEST - lots and lots of tomatoes and peppers - cukes have slowed and zucchini is done
• I did order from Chewy this week - things I can't find around here (rec. in 3 days)
• Using water from rain barrels to water
• Picked the rest of the grapes for the most part and have them frozen
• I decided to go out and get gas before end of month to use my points - saved .40/gal
• Of course, the station is in Kroger lot - so I just went in to look around.  Didn't plan on buying anything - well, the meat manager knows me and how I shop - and he got my attention and said look at what I just marked down.

YEP, that is 20 - 1/4 lb. burgers (5 lbs.) for 9.80 = 1.98/lb.!!!!!!!!!  I got 2.  Did I need? No.  Will I use?  You bet.  With what I have and these, I am good for a looooong time.  Yippee!!  It pays to get to know your managers at the store!

• While out I got gas, ran in Kroger, and stopped at the P.O.  Then my car died!  I mean totally - nothing, not even a click.  I could have walked home no problem, but I hated to leave the car.  Called my handy neighbor and bless his heart he was getting ready to go to a funeral home, and he ran down to check on me.  He looked and saw a loose battery cable.  He held it in place and the car started.  PTL.  I got home fine.  He was out all day and evening, so I didn't bother him anymore.  Well, Sat. morning I figured I could tighten it.  I go out to Glen's 'taller than me' mechanic toolbox - open the first drawer I could look in from standing on the floor - it all looked wrong.  Next drawer spotted this little rachet type driver, and it just screamed "use me".  So, I tried and worked perfectly.  It was small to fit in the area and did the trick.  That had to be what it was for.  I do believe G's angel was looking over me to know what to use.  I also checked and filled what needed to be touched up on fluids while under the hood.
• Cleaned lots of wild stuff (mainly ground cherry) from my perennial bed out back.  Cleaned the back fence row and got the garden weeded again
• Hummy feed and refill
• Washing windows inside (nose kisses)
• Did a lot of 'shopping' from home.  Shampoo, TP and dish soap refills, freezer - found a 2lb. bag of fish in freezer (froze all together) and I had forgotten it.  So thawed and grilled it all for different meals.  Trying to use things I have on hand

Budget friendly meals this past week:

Zucchini boats (from freezer), garlic toast and sliced tomatoes

Cheeseburger and a big salad

'Sloppy Joe' style lil smokies, thick sliced fried pots, tomatoes

Fried zucchini and fried green tomatoes

Grilled fish, garlic toast and salad

Pizza style potato bites and a plain burger and tomatoes

Fish tacos

SNACKS:  fruit, yogurt, PB sandwich, tomatoes

That is about it for me.  I did do some porch sitting and neighbor chatting as well.  Life is full of surprises (good and bad) and we just never know what a day will bring - we need to learn to just plod ahead.

How was your week?  Did you get any deals or are you still getting fresh garden good?  What is on your mind?  I know there are a couple of you from north of me and I haven't heard from you - hope you are ok from all the flooding.  Prayers for all.

Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.  Wishing you all a blessed week.

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Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may praise thee and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks to thee for ever.

Psalms 30:11-12

Thank You Lord for all our blessings.  Thank You for helping us each know You and know that we are guided and helped each and every day.  We are so blessed.  I pray we can all go forward and continue to spread Your word to others and be grateful to do it. AMEN

AMEN