Weekly Wrap Up 4/26

 Hello all, and welcome to the last Sunday of April!  Can you believe it?  Time is sure flying by.

It is a cooler morning here, but still very nice.  We had a storm fly through on Friday - it got scary for a few minutes.  The sirens went off and the winds just came out of nowhere.  We had rain a couple times on Friday, and we did need it.  Seems every time they predict rain, my area gets nothing.

The grapes are forming bunches on the vines out back, and the raspberries are blooming.  The first of the poppies have opened.  Oh, those big bright orange beauties!

This week I just did what I wanted, when I wanted.  I got in no rush.  I slowly did things and still had a lot of rest time.

My frugal week:

• Had a meeting with my financial guy here at the house - all good
• Made a batch of frozen yogurt/fruit bars 
• Made a pot of soup - used a pack of long grain &wild rice soup mix (gift) - but used pork broth (freezer) instead of water, and less than it called for.  Added 4 C beans (freezer) and chopped ham (freezer).  Goodness it was good, some of the best soup I have made in ages.  Ate on it and froze 2 containers for later
• Trimmed the back forsythia bushes (4) - they sure got wild looking quickly.  Looks neat now
• Mowed and trimmed the entire yard
• I got the rain barrels out and set up
• Pulled weeds in areas hard to reach with weed whacker
• Paid everything I had in house for early May, including property taxes
• Cooked up a pound of sausage in patties and froze most of them for easy use
• NO groceries
• Polished the kitchen cabinets
• Walked, napped and porch set - off and on
• Aired the house a lot this week.  No heat or AC (heat on last Sunday night only)
• Just doing all the normal stuff

Meals this past week:

Shredded pork (freezer) over fries w/cheese and slaw

Wild rice/bean/ham soup

Soup again

Chicken breast and broccoli salad

Cheese spread w/crackers and broccoli salad

Sausage/egg sandwich and salad

Goulash (made w/broc. added)

SNACKS - yogurt bars, peanut butter on toast, pb & apple, fruit

Overall, a pretty good week.  Kept busy, but not overly busy.  Seems there is always so much to be done, but I am at the point in life - if it gets done, great - if not, well it wasn't that important.

How was your week?  Did you get any good deals?  Did you get any planting done? (still waiting here)

Look forward to hearing from each of you.  I do believe we all inspire each other, and that is pretty cool.

Stay super safe and healthy this week.  Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

Don't stress the small stuff.

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I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!  Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!

Psalms 27:13-14

Dear Lord, we thank You for all the blessings we received this week.  Help us each have courage, faith and strength to face all that is put before us.  Even when we don't see an answer, we know You are working on our hearts and helping us to grow our faith stronger.  Waiting isn't a sign of disapproval from You, it is a growing time for us.

Thank You for being with us at all times, and give us patience in all things, as they happen in Your time.

AMEN

Balance it Out - It All Counts

 Hello everyone.  Lovely day in the neighborhood here.  60*F outdoors and 75* in the house!  Windows now open, birds are singing, and kitties all fed.  A very pretty spring day.

Just a word today about balancing all things in life.  You truly do NOT have to be busy every moment of every day.  Some days we get a lot done, other days we rest and just enjoy life.    Somedays the yard work gets done, other days we porch sit.  Some days we go and go, and other days we watch nature and just realize how lucky we are.

We all go through things in life that change us - good and bad.  At some point in life, we all have that worst day ever.  (7 years ago today for me).  But here we are - still going on. 

We often feel cheated, we often feel sad, we often feel loss - but we also feel joy, and happiness, and we have the bestest memories ever!

Hang on to those memories - what a gift it is to be able to have them.

I think we should spend our lives doing the best we can, not just for ourselves, but to honor others.  I believe the spirit of all our loved ones is still with us, and we need to do good in their honor.  

Smile more often.  Help more often.  Enjoy more often.  Spread love more often.  Laugh more often.

Just be the BEST you can be my friends.

Be the good memory someone else has one day!!!!

I hope you all have a lovely day and a fantastic weekend!

Tasty and Healthy Treat

 Hello to all.  HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Hope this finds you all well and safe.  It is a beautiful morning here.  Low 60's and the sun is shining.  During the night I heard a little thunder off at a distance - but I don't believe we received any rain here.  It seems to circle all around us so many times.  It looks to be a glorious day.

Today I want to give you a 'recipe' for an easy, tasty and healthy treat or dessert.  I made this and I see no limits to what can be used.  I mean you know me a 'recipes'!!!  They are just suggestions for me.

FROZEN FRUIT YOGURT BARS

2 C plain yogurt

1/2 C honey

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 C fruit

Mix the yogurt, honey and vanilla until all incorporated.  Fits in an 8 x 8 pan.  Line with parchment paper for easy removal.  Pour mixture in pan and then add the fruit.  You can place just on top or push in a little.  Place pan in freezer for a good 4 hours - then cut into bars.

I had a quart of plain yogurt I got on clearance a couple weeks ago - so I doubled the recipe and used a 9 x 11 pan.  I also didn't have quite the amount of honey needed - open, so I added pure maple syrup to it.  I used banana extract because I was using bananas.  I cut up bananas that needed using and halved some grapes as well.  

SUPER yummy!!!!!!

ENJOY!

You can use any kind of fruit you want - strawberries, bananas, blue berries, peaches, pineapple........

I well imagine you could add nuts, crunchies or something else on top.  Also, I would say you could use whatever yogurt you have on hand.  All you have flavored?  Use it.

I do believe the honey (not only for sweetness) helped it not freeze too hard.

Such a wonderful treat.  Cool and refreshing. AND healthy!!!!!!  

Hope you all have a wonderful day and maybe do something fun for Earth Day.  Go pick-up some trash somewhere, plant a posey or a tree, create no trash today, eat natural, just do something.  It is something we should be doing every single day - not just one day a year.

Have a super and beautiful day.

What is Your Limit? - Ick Factor?

 Hello all.  Happy Tuesday to you all.  Hope this finds everyone safe and healthy.  I can't believe so much of the month is done already.  It is still cooler here this morning, but not nearly as cool as the past couple of mornings.  We had frost both Sunday and Monday mornings - no freezer her, but frost.  This is why it really isn't wise to plant gardens here until after Mother's Day.  As pretty as some days are - waiting is the game we need to play.

I sure didn't want to get up this morning.  The bed felt so comfortable - but Bitsy had other ideas!  I had kitties waiting outdoors as well.

Today - what is your limit on being frugal or the things you may do to save money?

I have been watching some videos of things people do to save a buck and many I do and agree with, and others just make me say eeeeewwww!  We all have our limits and things we do - so I also say, whatever someone says here is safe.  We are not here to judge, just share ideas.

You all know that I tend to stock up on clearance and sale prices.  I have no problem whatsoever on using things well past "use by" dates.  I repair and mend things.  I water things down.  I use up all things I can.

I have no problems foraging and eating things that many would call weeds.  There are many things that are so good for us, growing wild out there.  Things that have healing qualities.

I have no problem repairing things to stretch them a bit further, when I surely could afford to buy new.  I get through another season and save a little, then I purchase new and feel I did my best.

Now that it is time for Earth Day, a lot of people think more about things they can do and ways that can save not only their pocketbook, but the earth as well.  

I have rain barrels that save rainwater for gardening and animals to drink.  I garden and grow many things myself.  I compost.  I do much of my yardwork and home repairs myself.  I reuse a lot of things.

I love thrift stores and yard sales, but there are some things that I personally wouldn't buy.  I have purchased barely worn shoes before - I can handle that (I clean well).  I will not buy used under garments.  That is just me.

I understand that there are people that save their urine and use it on their gardens or to soften the calluses on their feet.  NOPE for me.

Some people only have their water heaters ON for an hour or two a day - then turn it off.  I am not going to do that - seems like ware and tare to me.  I will dicker on prices at times, but I realize that people are trying to make some money - so I will not try to insult them.  I will not be eating roadkill!  (some do).  I have watched shows of Extreme Cheapskates, and some of those people amaze me.  

Now I have no problem "curb" shopping when people throw things out.  I have gotten things to use in my yard and garden.  There are many, many people that dumpster dive for all sorts of things.  You can check out the You Tube channel Freakin Frugal.  They have regular places that they dumpster dive and get tons of things and tons of food.  I have to admit it all looks good and have never heard them say they have gotten sick.  They donate a lot as well.

Most stores around here have their trash bins closed in behind fences and gates - so that isn't something that would be easily done here.  It truly DOES amaze me at all the GOOD items they get that store is just throwing out!  So wasteful, especially when things are so expensive and so many people could use it. (I know there are liability issues)

I have mentioned in the past, that when G and I first married, we did not buy bread or baked goods for several years (nor did our parents) - as we got it all free from A & P.  A friend worked there and would call G when they took things out to the dumpster and the city guys would go and get it all.  It was perfect.  So many people benefited.  We even got huge boxes of still frozen chicken a couple times, when the power went out for a few hours at the school.  They had to get rid of it!

I do have a couple limits of things I would not do - not too many, but a few.  I have just been this way most of my life, so I think about a way to reuse just about anything.

So I am curious as to where other people draw the line and say no.  What is your limit?

No judgment from me - I am just curious. (be nice)

Do you have frugal limits?

Give us a shout out - I like hearing new ideas.

Have a beautiful day!!!!!!

Weekly Wrap Up 4/19

 Hello to all and a happy Sunday.  Hoping this finds you all well and safe.

It is a pretty but chilly morning here.  The sun is up and shining and it is a bit frosty here.  After such a warm week, it is different!  Tonight, may get down to close to freezing as well.  Good reminder that it isn't growing time here yet (for most stuff).  We had an incredible week weatherwise.  Yesterday was cooler and rainy (needed), and this girl just got lazy, and didn't do much but eat, snack and nap!

Both SIL and sis are doing well, and life is getting back to normal for both.

It was a fairly quiet week

My frugal week:

• Went out to lunch with grade school gals.  It was a nice time and good food.  Brought home leftovers (cost less than $20)
• Mowed everything from front to back and trimmed
• I changed out my glider cushions for the first time in years (I got last fall on clearance).  Also moved around some lawn furniture and a lot of pots that will be used for gardening
• Made nectar and put out hummingbird feeders. Kind of early here - but you never know
• Did lots of walks - free exercise
• Made potato cakes with leftover mashed potatoes and ate some and froze some
• No heat at all this week (until this morning)
• Got to air the house each day
• Picked rhubarb
• Using what I have on hand and using all leftovers in some way - using lots of odds and ends in freezer
• Pulled out all the heavier bedding from greenhouse and kitty house and laundered & lined dried - ready for next year
• Did some sewing
• Just all the normal stuff

Meals this week:

Smash burger and lg. portobella mushroom on bagel thin, salad

Out to lunch (House of Tokyo)

l/o rice & zucchini (yesterday) with shrimp and faux crab (freezer) added & salad

Grilled burritos (used l/o beans, rice and sauce from freezer)

Poor man's Swiss steak and mashed potatoes

Chicken legs (freezer), potato cakes and salad

Smoked sausage, mac & cheese, and slaw

SNACKS - fruit, PB on toast, cheese, fresh veggies

Life has been quiet for the time being, and that is fine.  Not time for gardening yet and just of enjoying the calm.  

The poppies all have big old buds on them, then peonies have tons of buds, and everything is green and growing.  One day Chuck (groundhog) showed up again and came under the fence - Persy saw it and was having none of that.  Back arched and hissing took place (about 4' away), and Chuck stopped and slowly turned and left!  It was funny to watch.

Watching lots of birds and beautiful woodpeckers.

How was your week?  I know many are getting tons of rain (up north US) and you northern gals (Canada) are getting snow in many areas.  Time for that stuff to be done!!!

Did you get any deals this week?  Get to plant anything?

Love hearing from everyone.

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead.  Prayers for health and safety for all.

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

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Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalms 119:105

Dear Lord we thank You for all our blessings.  I pray we all pay attention and follow Your word and light to help our lives be better.  If we follow Your light, we will always go the correct direction.  May we each add our own light to this world and help make it better for someone else.  Prayers of healing for all in need.  AMEN

Make a Joyful Noise

 Hello to all this Thursday.  Gosh, here we are in the second half of the month - amazing.  I hope you are all well and safe.

Another warm morning here, windy and cloudy, but warmer.  We had a little shower yesterday afternoon, but nothing to get excited about.  Rain supposedly coming in today.  We could use a little.  I can't believe that some of you are still getting significant snow!  Incredible.  I wish warm weather for you.  I know you will most assuredly enjoy it when it comes.

Yes, there is so much to be grateful for - even when you are looking at uncertainty in your life.  I always remember that there is someone out there that would love to have my life, and that makes me smile.

Take time to truly enjoy and claim all the good in this world.  I know things are going on out there, I am not in a hole - but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy all the special things.  Celebrate them - if each and everyone did that, life would be great.

Be grateful for:

family and friends

your loving and sweet pets

your home - you have shelter

food on the table - no matter what it is - you are fortunate

the birds singing - you can hear them

for all the friends we have here - for all the tips, help and love each one offers the others 

the changing seasons - they keep all things in check

fresh air and sunshine

hearing and seeing little ones play and laugh

The list goes on and on...................

I hope each and every one can reach out in SOME way to another and spread joy and love.  Give a hand up.  Help keep your area neat and clean.  Plant some pretty flowers - others do enjoy.  Feed an animal - they are God's as well.  Smile or say a kind word to someone.  Share an idea.  

Anything - small things are the best and they can totally change a day.

I hope each one can live in joy and happiness.

Not negativity, anger and hatred (it accomplishes nothing).  

You have a choice.  Make it a positive one.

Have a super day and weekend.  

Embrace joy and spread that stuff everywhere!!!!!!!!

Food Finds that will be Tasty

 Hello all - hope everyone is good this morning.  Another warm and lovely day here. It is currently 72*F this morning and again, warmer in the house.  I got up and opened all the windows and that air feels so good.  Bitsy keeps going from window to window to know what is going on out there!  It will be another 80* day here - we are getting so used to it, but it too shall pass.  Come Sunday it is to cool and be in the 30's again for a couple nights.  It isn't summer yet!

Yesterday when working in the yard, I noticed that the peonies plants have tons of small buds and thousands of flies on them.  Not ants yet, but flies!  Maybe that is a sign they will smell extra sweet this year!!!

You know I like food and mixing things up a bit.  I love to try new things, and I think some of you do as well.   With most folks trying to stretch the budgets and use up what they have - it is always nice to have a new idea or two.

Now this sounds wonderful to me.  It is a good example of making things into a new dish, that one may not think of.  I would think you could add what you want and just keep changing it up.  Sounds wonderful. (Heck, I would try it with drained canned corn as well).

                                                        Bread in 10 minutes

Run out of bread for a sandwich or meal and it is a hot day - so not wanting to turn on the oven??  Here you go.  Pretty darn easy and simple.  Made on the stove top.  Using normal kitchen items, we all have on hand.

I have added apple to chicken salad before, but never tuna salad.  I generally add frozen peas or pickles to tuna - but this is a fun change up!  Even has walnuts!  There is NO one way to make anything.  I am definitely going to try this one.

I do this so many times in the summer months, when I have a variety of produce available.  I love this stuff.  I make it is the frig all the time.  I have made it before and canned as well.  I just love veggies cut up and seasoned.  My favorite parts are the cauliflower and the carrots - I tend to leave out the celery, as it doesn't absorb the flavor as well in my opinion.  MY TIP: Get the brine scalding before pouring over veggies - helps it absorb.

Another good idea, instead of heavy cream in a creamy soup recipe.  A cornstarch slurry using milk, giving it more of a cream texture.

What traditional recipes do you change up ingredients in?  Do you have a fun one to share?

I love hearing how folks change things up into a new flavor sensation!

During the summer I love various types of salads - pasta can have absolutely anything added.  I love broccoli and cauliflower salads as well.  You can change up potato salad too.

Let us know your fun change up!!!!!

Hava a very special day.

Blessings to all.