Sunday, February 11, 2018

Frugal Happenings 2/11

Good morning.  I hope you are warm and safe.  I know there are many that have had crazy amounts of snow this week.  Hope you all stay safe.
Those in a different hemisphere are too hot!  Stay cool.
It is amazing that there are so many climates going on at the same time.

We woke to snow 3 days this week, but never more than an inch.  I swept and moved snow each time, as I kind of fanatical about the drive and walks being clear!  We had a taste of spring for a day or so, and back to winter.
This morning we woke to a thin later of ice on everything.  It is slick out there.  I went out to feed the kitties and the brick walkway and the wooden deck were crazy slick!  Even the kitties were fishtailing a bit!
We will be back in the 40's and 50's in a couple days, for another brief warm-up this week.  I am glad we are having these short warm periods - it puts us a few days closer to Spring weather - and knocks off a few more cold days!

It has been a real quiet week here.

My frugal week:
  • Had some very stale cereal that we really didn't like - so the birds and squirrels got a treat (everything has a use!)
  • Made bread crumbs from some stale bread
  • Made G a batch of steel cut oats with fruit and nuts added (from the freezer)
  • Got some free exercise moving snow this week
  • I made a batch of bean salad (my own concoction).  It turned out quite yummy - especially the dressing part
A can of green beans, corn and red beans (all drained).  Diced carrots, pepper and onion.  Covered with 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 C oil and a dash of salt.  YUM!
This is a great substitute for green salad, when you have just a few fresh items on hand.
  • Worked on my mending and sewing - didn't get it all done (will work on it again this week)
  • Ran out only one day, thus saving gas.
  • Went to Dollar Tree - hadn't been in ages.  2 - 32 oz. bottles of peroxide for $1 each (I use instead of bleach).  4 - cans of asparagus - $1 each - for stock.
  • Went to the library on the way home (hadn't been there in ages either).  Got a couple books.
  • Meals and drinks from home and just doing all the normal stuff

Meals this past week:
BBQ wings, pizza rolls and veggies and dip
Cold cut sandwiches and bean salad
Meat loaf, green beans w/potatoes and salad
Leftover meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy and bean salad
Homemade pizza
Beans & rice with smoked sausage and salad
Beef/hominy skillet fry and side salad

Browned ground beef with onion and peppers.  Added hominy, seasoning and diced tomatoes and simmered.  YUM

See, I told you it was quiet around here!
What have you been up to?  What ways did you save this week?


"Help us, O God, to be content with what we have.  Instead of accumulating more stuff, help us to live more simply".  
Daily prayer from the paper.
AMEN!

I pray you all have a safe, healthy and frugal week.  MAKE your week a great one!
Blessings from our humble home to yours.

15 comments:

  1. I love reading your weekly menus as it gives me ideas for the coming week.

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    1. I am so glad. I try to have a variety - so as we don't get tired of any one thing.
      Glad to be of service!!!

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  2. I agree, Cheryl and Rivercrest Cottage! I have a question: on the hominy...is that corn? do you get it canned?

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    1. Yes mam, hominy is corn that has been specially treated. I buy it canned at the grocery. I find it in with the canned veggies, but if you look in ethnic area it will be cheaper (same thing!)

      We like it fried with onions & peppers and I make a soup (pozole') as well.

      It doesn't taste like corn. Give it a try!

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  3. I actually love fried hominy. I have not had it in ages. Be careful on that ice.

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    1. I love it too as does hubs. It's funny because when I was a kid, I was made to sit at the table once for a long period of time because I wasn't eating any!!!
      Mom was in the hospital and my brother and SIL stayed at our house, and they told me I couldn't get up till I ate it. They walked out of the room and I put it back in the serving bowl!! LOL
      I still get teased about that.

      Ice is all gone today! YAY

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  4. Glad all that ice is gone today, Cheryl. We keep the paths cleared here as well. I have a fear of falling. I scrub my shower floor everyday for this same reason. Your bean salad looks great, I love vegetables like that. I hope you have a terrific week. :)

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    1. You are so correct, a fall could be a catastrophe!
      The bean salad was delish! It is nice to have other alternative to 'fresh' veggies.
      Stay safe.

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  5. That daily prayer from the paper? Amen and AMEN! I am trying to walk that walk this year by paring down and simplifying. Not an easy path (it's too cluttered-LOL) but the right one...

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    1. Sue I agree AMEN. I have been working on it for a couple years (slowly), and make a little headway. It isn't easy - you are so right.
      Good luck!

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  6. Your "bean salad" looks scrumptious! Can't wait to try some. Thanks for the recipe.

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    1. Thanks Kris. basically I think you can put what ever you like together. The 'dressing' was scrumptious I thought. Actually there was some left in the bowl - and I drank it!
      Enjoy!

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  7. My mom used to make a bean salad similar to the one you shared. Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories! Please do be careful with the ice.

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    1. You are welcome Debbie. Isn't it funny the things that take us back in time?
      Ice is all gone and it is pretty again. I think today should be upper 40's. Up and down!!!
      Have a good day.

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  8. It sounds like you had a good week. I have done that same thing with the stale cereal. I'd rather the birds have it then throw it in the garbage. The bean salad looks great. I'll have to give it a try.

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