Fun Fall Recipes & Ideas

Tomorrow is the official start of fall here in the U.S. 
You would never know it, in my neck of the woods!  It is hot and humid, and will be for at least the next week.  We are reaching 90*  and the humidity is thick! 
Yesterday morning when I went out to feed the kitties, dew was actually dripping from the trees!!  That is something I have never seen before. 

I am sure there are places that are actually feeling like fall - and please note - I am NOT complaining.  It will be here quick enough and then winter will be at it's coat tails.  ICK!

There are certain things that just remind all of us that fall IS a lovely time of the year.  There are special smells, crisp air, beautiful colors, and there is even a different sound in the air.
We all have different foods that we fix and enjoy once the weather gets cooler.
Soups, stews, casseroles, baked goods, apples, pumpkins,  cider, and just about any comfort food.

Today I am going to list a couple fun recipes, mostly using what we would have on hand, that just scream fall in my opinion!


MOM'S SLOPPY JOES
1 lb. ground beef (or turkey)
1/2 C onion, chopped
1/2 C celery, thinly sliced
1 1/2 C catsup
1/4 C brown sugar - packed
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp. prepared mustard
salt & pepper to taste

Brown your ground meat along with the onion and celery.  Drain and set aside.  Mix the remaining ingredients, and add to beef mixture.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until thoroughly warmed.  Serve on sandwich buns.
There's nothing like a good sloppy Joe and chips or home fries on a cool winter's evening to me.


HAM AND CHEESE CUPS
2 C self-rising flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C mayonnaise
1 C milk
1/2 C cooked ham (I would think you could use pork, beef, chicken whatever you have)
1/2 C shredded cheese
Combine flour and baking soda, set aside.  Mix remaining ingredients together, and add to flour mixture.  Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full.  Bake at 425* for 16 - 18 minutes.  Makes about 12.
These are yummy for a quick breakfast, lunch, after school snack, or even with sides for dinner.  These would also be great on a buffet!


CHOCOLATE GRAVY
3/4 C water
1 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C sugar
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. cocoa
Place water, butter and vanilla in a saucepan; bring to a boil.  Remove from heat; set aside.  Combine remaining ingredients together, and slowly whisk into the water mixture until thickened.  Serve warm.  Makes about one cup.
If you have never tried this - you are missing out!!!  It is a southern 'thing' here.
Drizzle over hot biscuits, pancakes, or waffles on a cold morning and all will be right with the world!!!

I am NOT a fan of eating pumpkin at all - but I DO love the scents that contain the fall 'pumpkiny' smell.  This is an easy-peasy, non-chemical air freshener to make your home smell lovely.
You can adjust it how ever you choose.  It is mainly things we probably all have on hand.

Here's a fun and easy craft project as well.  Use a nail and hammer and 'punch' faces into coffee tins or other tin cans and spray paint.  Add sand or gravel to the bottom - then add a votive candle.  No money crafts are fun.

I hope you can try and enjoy a couple of these.  I love having easy recipes that contain NO special ingredients that I have to go out and buy.  I can fix them whenever I want - ingredients all from the pantry/freezer.  Got to love no-spend meals!!!
ENJOY

Equivalency Fun Facts - for your kitchen

We all look for new hacks and ideas for our cooking from scratch kitchens.
There are so many little things that I constantly wonder about and question - as in "how many does it take?" - "how much do I need?", etc.
I imagine we all have those moments.

Today I will give you a few of the most  popular measurements.  I have this printed out and taped inside my cabinet door for easy access!

Dash - less than 1/8 tsp.
3 tsp. = 1 Tbsp.
4 Tbsp. = 1/4 C
1 stick of butter = 1/4 lb. = 1/2 C = 8 Tbsp.
1 jumbo egg = 2 medium

Beans 1 lb. dried = approx. 2 - 2 1/2 C (depends on bean size)
Bell peppers, 1 large = 1 C chopped
Cheese (hard) 1 lb. shredded = 4 C
Cottage cheese 1 lb. = 2 C
Crackers - 20 single standard crackers = 1 C crumbs
Herbs, 1 Tbsp. fresh = 1 tsp. dried

Lemon, 1 med. size = 2-3 Tbsp. juice (heat lemon 10 seconds in microwave to get most juice)
Lemon, 1 med. size = 2-3 tsp. grated zest

Mustard, 1 Tbsp. prepared = 1 tsp. dry
Oatmeal 1 lb. dry = about 5 C dry
Onion 1 med. = 1/2 C chopped

Pasta - smaller tubal types, 1 lb. = 4 C uncooked
Noodles 1 lb. dry = 6 C uncooked
Spaghetti (all long pasta) 1 lb. = 4 C uncooked

Potatoes - white and sweet - 1 lb. - 3 med sized = 2 C mashed
Rice 1 lb. dry = 2 C uncooked
Whipping cream - 1 C un-whipped = 2 C whipped
Yeast, dry, 1 envelope (1/4 oz.) = 1 Tbsp. bulk

SUBSTITUTIONS
1 C sour milk or buttermilk - use 1 C plain yogurt OR 1 Tbsp. vinegar or lemon juice in a 1 C measure and top to 1 C with milk.  Let it sit 5 minutes before using.

1 garlic clove - use 1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms - use 1 - 6 oz. can, drained

1 Tbsp. tomato paste - use 1 Tbsp. ketchup

1 Tbsp. vinegar - use 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 C heavy cream - add 1/3 C melted butter to 3/4 C milk - (works for cooking, baking NOT whipping)

1/2 C wine (for cooking) - pour 2 Tbsp. wine vinegar into a 1/2 C measure - and finish filling with broth.  Stir and let it set 5 minutes.  Stir again before using.

1 Tbsp. cornstarch - use 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour

2 Tbsp. Tapioca - use 3 Tbsp. all purpose flour

cooking oil when baking - replace part with either applesauce or yogurt to decrease oil content

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There are so many ways to use what you have on hand when cooking.  No need to make a special run to the store for one or two ingredients (we all know that never works!).
TRY YOUR BEST to keep  all BASIC ingredients on hand in your pantry.
Learn to improvise - I hardly ever follow a recipe as written!  I am always changing things up.

Read your recipes from beginning to end - before ever starting it.  You don't want to over look a very important instruction, and you can also make sure you have everything needed - whether as written or substitutes.

Cooking really is fun.   Don't make it feel like a chore.  Experiment and have fun.


DO YOU HAVE ANY GREAT TIPS TO SHARE?

Frugal Happenings 9/17

Good morning to all my frugal fiends.
Oh my goodness, we are half way through this month.  I just can't believe the holidays will be here before we know it.

We had really cool temps all week, until yesterday.  It looks like summer will be making a return this week - all week long.  Highs will be in the 80's, maybe even 90 this coming week.  We did get a little much needed rain earlier, and there is a small chance for the first part of the week.  Sure can't complain.

The hummingbirds may be moving on, after that cool snap we had.  I am not seeing them as much.  I keep the nectar fresh and will be for a few weeks, for those passing through on the way south.  I will miss my little flying jewels!

We  got up the other morning to find a dead opossum in the back yard.  Poor baby.  I think it may have had a tussle with the dogs across the alley.  It appeared to have a couple puncture wounds.  I am not sure if it was our Opie that we have had since it was a baby or not.  Seemed odd that it came here to die.  Apparently they only live 2 - 3 years, but I still hate seeing something hurt.  We still have a opossum in the yard once in a while at night since - so not sure if it lives here or is visiting.

This has been another quiet week.
Our frugal week:

• Picked a pretty little bouquet from the yard.  Replaced roses in it, a couple times.  They smell so good.
• Still harvesting garden.  I actually got a couple cucumbers off the new vines!  Love walking out back to get veggies.  My bell peppers are loaded still!  Lots of green tomatoes and still picking broccoli.  YUM
• No A/C biggest part of the week.
• Washing windows with vinegar/water and newspapers.
• Took the top of the stove apart and cleaned.  Not totally done canning - but the stove was in need!  LOL  Love using vinegar and baking soda!
• Doing lots of yard work - great exercise
• I have been eating apples and peanut butter for lunch.  I love this time of year for the abundance of apples!
• Left the property only twice all week - so not much fuel used.
• I did a cat food run, trying to start building up cat food preps for the winter.  Two stores - but neither had as much stock or variety as I wanted.  Need to make a run to Rural King soon.
• I ran over to the farm market yesterday looking for butter.  Store bought butter just seems to have NO taste to either of us.  Farm market doesn't sell due to all the govt. regulations on dairy.  I did buy a quart of local honey to have in stock.  I guess I will start making my own butter!
• Line dried laundry
• All the regular things we all do everyday!

I was amazed at the farm market yesterday at the prices of some things.  They were selling 9" fruit pies for $25!  Oh my.  They also had 9" savory (meat/veg) pies frozen for $40 each.  You had to bake at home.  People were buying them!!!!!!!!  Can I say a huge crap-ola?  WOW!
I think I stood there with my mouth open in a daze watching folks buy them for a good 10 minutes.  I can buy a whole lot of groceries for $40!  People never cease to amaze me.

Menu this past week:
Homemade pizza
Chicken strips, green beans & potatoes, sliced toms
Beef & rice enchiladas (2X)
Tuna salad sandwiches and chips
Creamy chicken/veggie linquine
Loaded baked potatoes

Nothing real exciting happening here.  Quiet and calm the way I like it.  I have so much I need to accomplish and I just don't seem to have the oomph I need!  I guess maybe it is the change of season/weather - I don't know.  I need to get my rump in gear and get  a lot of stuff done.
 
Oh, I did get a new great/great nephew this week!  His pictures are adorable and he is healthy.  Can't ask for more than that! 

How was your week?  What did you do to stay on the frugal bandwagon?
I look forward to hearing from you all.

May the Lord bless you in all ways. 

Remember to be Thankful

The past few weeks so many things have happened all over the world, that has ended life as many have known it - forever.
Folks have lost homes, jobs, sustenance, possessions, health, and even lives.  There are threats each and every day of horrible things that could happen.

Todays post is simple.
Just remember to be thankful for what you have - don't be upset by what you don't have.  No matter what we go through in this life, there are always others going through worse.
God gave you this day, so please make it the best.

                               
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YES, I am blessed.  I am blessed with my health, with my husband, with the family I have left on this earth, with shelter and food, with enough, with my fur babies, with memories, with good friends, and with another day on this earth. 
I am so very thankful.

I am blessed to have all of you in my world.
Thank you for going on this fantastic journey of life with me.
Blessings my friends.

Your Frugal Budget

We have professed our 'frugal lifestyles', but most don't like the word BUDGET!
It can be a scary word - most people think of charts and ledgers, stock markets, and definitive answers. 
Frugal is being a good steward of you things and money, and making it go as far as possible.  Much less intimidating.
Well, in my opinion, they go hand in hand.  You take care of your money and your money takes care of you.  Some of the wealthiest people on the planet got that way by being frugal.

It doesn't matter how much money you have or how little - you still need to budget.  That strictly means not spending more than you make or have.  Living within or below your means!  If you make smart choices - your future will be brighter!

Whether on a piece of paper, a journal, or on the computer - make a list of all your spendable income.  Opposite that list all your expenditures.  There are 2 types of expenses.
FIXED - are things like mortgage, car payments, insurance, utilities - things that are pretty much the same every month.
DISCRETIONARY - are items that change from month to month, like food, eating out, maybe even charge card bills.
If your expenses are more than your income, you need to make changes for sure.
You can earn more - get another job OR you can spend less (easiest choice).

If given the chance have your bills deducted straight from your account each month - AND make sure that you have that written on your calendar for each and every month.  You don't want to forget a deduction.
ALSO have your checks placed directly into your bank account.  If you don't have it in your hand - you are less likely to spend.
You can merge both on-line banking with check writing - it is strictly what works best for you.  What works best for you  MAY NOT be what you have been doing in the past - so think about it.

Keep track of ABSOLUTELY EVERY PURCHASE MADE for a couple months.  I am talking about utilities, insurance, that morning pop or coffee, a pack of cigarettes, a pack of gum, etc.  Write WHAT you bought and HOW MUCH you spent.  At the end of those couple months, you will see exactly where your money is going - and trust me - it will make you sick when you see the waste!
That is when you get busy and cut stuff out, and pay things off, and save.

1.  Pay everything that HAS to be paid and is FIXED.
2.  Pay off your other debts as quickly as possible.  Do what works for you - we used to pay minimum on most and over on the highest interest ones and pay them off first.  Then work on the next one!
3.  Pay YOURSELF as well.  Yes indeed.  Try you absolute best to pay yourself 10%.  Place that in the bank for emergencies.
4.  If you can get into a 401K (or similar) plan, especially one that matches funds - do NOT hesitate!  These monies come out before taxes, and it makes very little difference in your take home pay.  If the company matches - that is just FREE money!!!!!!  It is a no brainer.  This could be all you have for retirement - folks in the U.S. please don't depend on always having Social Security.  You need to plan on taking care of yourself.
5.  If not weekly, at least once or twice a year GIVE to something to help others.  Whether you tithe at church or give to some other organization or directly to someone - do something caring and selfless.  I know this may sound crazy - as you are trying to get ahead - but it makes you a better person and it makes you a happier person - the rest will all fall into place.  Trust me!!!!!!

Yep this is all money.  Spare change, rolled coin, dollars, and even coupons - it is all money in your budget!

If your expenses are larger than income - you need to make some big decisions.  If you want to make more money - think second or third job.  NO it isn't fun.  NO you won't have free time.  YES it will pay off - hopefully in the short run.
Sell things you don't use or need.
Do what ever you need to (and legal) to increase income.

Spend LESS!  You can do it.  Cut back on groceries - make no spend weeks/months.  Eat what you have - it may not be fancy - but you will survive.
NO eating out.
NO outside entertainments (for a while)
NO buying new clothes, toys, gifts, etc.  IF you need a gift, make something.
QUIT using charge cards.  Spend cash only - and never carry more cash that you can truly afford to spend.
Cut out bad habits - that is a huge vacuum on cash flow.
If something breaks or quits - figure out another way.  Do without for a bit.  It won't kill you!


Make yourself a goal - it doesn't matter if it is paying off a charge card, paying off the house or car, paying off student loans, reaching $1,000 in savings, or retirement in the near future.  MAKE GOALS!  They are important.  They give you something to strive for and look forward to.

We ALL make budgets a lot more difficult than we have to.  It is really simple to understand - never spend more than you make.  Live beneath your means.
NO you don't have to live like a pauper always.  You can live a good life, just differently.  As you start making changes, you will see the world with a new set of eyes.  Most of all you will be happier and less stressed!

                              This was in the morning paper!  How timely and appropriate!

We all need to quit saying I WANT - and stick with needs. 
We all need say I WON'T  or I DON'T  need or want to do or participate. 
We all need to make sacrifices in order to get ahead.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO STAY ON TRACK WITH YOUR FINANCES?
We all need to learn from each other!

Frugal Happenings 9/10

Hello and happy Sunday to all.  I hope you are all well and safe.
There is so much sadness from nature happening now - it can be over whelming.  My thoughts and prayers are with all those in the path of hurricane Irma, those affected by Harvey, those in fire areas, and those affected my earthquakes.  So sad.
This just reinforces in my head more reasons to have stockpiles and to be prepared for anything.

We have had great weather this week.  Monday as really hot and we did need the AC, but after that it cooled a lot.  Nights have actually been in the 40's and 50's!  I love this kind of weather.
The garden is still producing on it's second go round.

I got to go to an event last evening, that was a reunion from the grade school I went to.  It was all inclusive of every year in existence (it's been gone since 1980).  It was a great time.  I got to see so many old classmates and teachers and had dinner with people that I have now been friends with for about 56 years!  Many of us met in first grade, then went on to high school together - and many have stayed close all these years (although we don't see each other often).  It was a priceless experience.

Here's a GOOD MORNING from Pooty -wishing you a great day.  She HAD to help with laundry!

My frugal week:

• Worked on the big flower garden out back - cleaning and pulling stuff.  What a mess!  All the rain and heat this summer took a toll - weeds galore
• Line dried a ton of laundry
• Been harvesting and eating more garden produce.
• Picked what is probably the last of the grapes - got several pounds again
• Put up the fall door decorations and a couple things in the house.  Using what I have.
• Colored my hair at home
• Gave myself a nice mani and pedi - complete with polish!  I hardly ever polish any more.
• My printer decided not to feed paper - so I problem solved and cleaned and adjusted and now it works great.
• Started working on fall cleaning and more purging of stuff (it never ends - too much stuff!)
• Restocking upstairs pantry from supplies on hand
• Went to the library
• All the normal weekly stuff - making tea, filtering water, saving cereal wax bag, washing baggies, eating all leftovers, etc.
• While out to the library - I decided to go to a Kroger I rarely visit (not the best area).  I got a deal on chunked pears - 12 cans at .22 can and mixed veggies - 12 cans at .31 cans (all they had of both).  Both are dated 9/2019.  I don't usually buy mixed veggies (not my fav) but who the heck knows what could possibly happen in the next 2 years!  They may be very valuable to us!  They will be used!

Meals this week:
Zucchini/corn casserole and fresh chunk veggies in Italian dressing
Jazzed up leftover casserole and salad
Cube steaks, mac n cheese and sliced tomatoes
Chili (2X)
Cold cut/cheese/tomato sandwiches and chips
Night out for me and G ate last of chili
Had yogurt, apples, nuts, and ice cream for snacks


It has really been a quiet and uneventful week here.  I kind of like it like that!  NO drama.
I stayed home biggest part of the week, just tinkering around here.
If you didn't get a chance to read Thursday's post, you might want to check it out.  I listed some fun recipes that you might enjoy!

I have been waking up each morning and laying my head down each night - being so thankful for the life we have.  So many are battling nature and loss right now - I just can't see myself being ungrateful about anything.  Nothing we are experiencing can compare.
We are so extremely blessed!

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?  ANY GREAT BARGAINS?
I pray you all have a safe, healthy and frugal week.
Blessings from our home to yours.

Food for Football, Tailgating, Campfires & Fall

It is that time of the year for Friday night football games, tailgating , fun old hayrides, October Fest, and more.  The list off fall activities goes on and on.  Americans find all these things just a normal part of cooler weather.

We all think about goodies such as smores, hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill, brauts and kraut, wings and of course apple cider and anything pumpkin!  As for me I could completely do without the pumpkin 'whatever' - not one of my favorite flavors!

I also have a few items I like to serve whenever there is a group of folks coming for a visit.  We like to make BBQ little smokies (or mini hotdogs), chili, pizza, BBQ or Swedish meatballs, chili/cheese dip and always homemade salsa and chips.

It is fun to look outside the box a little and try some new recipes once in a while.  These don't have to be served for a fall get together - they will also make a great dinner as well.  Remember, dinner doesn't have to be meat and potatoes and several courses.  It can be anything you want!!!  It is YOUR home - eat what makes you happy!


CRAB RAGOON
2 pkgs. of faux crab
2 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 pkg. of wonton skins/wraps
Salt and pepper to taste

Process crab into small pieces and add other ingredients.  Line a cookie sheet with wrappers (on parchment) and add 1 tsp. of mix (or a little more if it will fit).  Wet the edges of the wraps and fold over.  Brush with butter and bake at 400* for 12-14 minutes.
YUM!
These make for great finger food, appetizers, or just a fun snack.


COLA WINGS
1 C brown sugar
12 oz. cola
1 onion diced
2 tsp. soy sauce
3 lbs. of wings
Salt & Pepper

Combine first 4 ingredients and pour over the wings in a lightly greased deep pan.  Bake at 350* for 2 hours.


DIRTY RICE (as promised)
12 oz. wild brown rice
2 pkg. Vigo red beans and rice
5 lbs. country pork sausage
4 large onion - chopped
2 large bell peppers - chopped
3 cans (or equivalent of home canned) diced tomatoes
1 small stalk of celery chopped
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 tsp. garlic salt
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground sage (optional in my opinion)
Brown your meat. Remove from pan.  Add chopped onion in hot grease and cook till clear.
Add spices to 12 CUPS of water and bring to a boil - then add rice and beans - bring back to a boil - reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.  Next add meat, tomatoes, and other veggies and simmer on LOW for 1 - 1 1/2 hours.  Stir frequently.

**I told you it made a lot!!!!  This is great for a big gathering or just to make ahead and freeze up in containers for several meals.  It is soooooooo good.
An old friend of ours, who once owned a small pub up the street used to make this and serve at the bar.  It was always a hit.
I have made it with a little less meat - but the sausage is what really adds to the dish.  You make it spicier or not as spicy - your choice.

Now if you want dirty rice quickly and on a much smaller scale - try the Aldi brand dirty rice mix (.99 box) and add a pound of ground sausage to it.  It is very tasty as well, although not as spicy!


CREAMY HOT BEEF DIP
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 C sour cream
3 ounces dried beef, rinsed (if using jarred beef) and finely chopped
2 Tbsp. chopped green pepper
1  1/2 Tbsp. minced onion
1 tsp. dried green pepper flakes, optional
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
pepper to taste
Combine all 8 ingredients in a 1 quart baking dish.  Bake at 375*, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.  Serve with raw veggies or crackers.  Yields about 2 cups.
So good!


CHILI/CHEESE DIP
Our favorite.
1 lb. of Velveeta cheese like spread
1 can of chili - Use whatever type chili you like - w/beans, w/meat or without either!

Chop the cheese spread into chunks and add the chili and plop in the microwave at 1 minute increments - stir and go again - till all cheese is melted.  Stir thoroughly and serve with crackers or tortilla chips! (I have also made this in the crockpot!)
We have made meals of this before!


I hope this gives you a few new ideas for these fall/winter gatherings or just for a fun meal at home.  It is fun to experiment a little and try new things.

I realize that wings are not cheap anymore - but keep an eye open for them on sale - as this is the time of year they will be.  Stock up when you can.
Five pounds of sausage can be pricey - but plan ahead and get your items on sale.  That dish makes so much, that it really is frugal in the long run.

ENJOY MY FRIENDS!