Happy Sunday and first Sunday of September! Blink and what do you know - we are approaching fall! It doesn't feel anything like fall here. We have started warming up again and the humidity is back. This will last a few days - highs around 90+, then back into the 80's and less humidity.
Most of this past week was just super lovely!!!!!!!!
The daylight hours are getting shorter. Seems like yesterday that my dusk to dawn came on at 9:30PM - now it is 8:30PM. Sure have enjoyed seeing the big and beautiful moon! Leaves are starting to fall a bit as well.
Seems the animals are all getting prepped for winter as well. Haven't seen any critters other than birds and squirrels, since all the live trapping. Then the other evening I saw an opossum out roaming around. It didn't stay long in my yard - went next door. Then the next morning I saw it collecting leaves for a nest. Have you ever seen one collect leaves? It is amazing to watch - they bunch them up and wrap their tails around them to carry.
The squirrels aren't eating as much here as they seem to be finding walnuts down the alley somewhere. The younger ones can been seen running down the alley with them - then they come in the yards and bury the whole walnut!!!! Even the blue jays are hiding peanuts!
My week:
- Needed to use the soaker on the garden a couple times - went out first of week and boom - the darn hose had broken right up at the connector. Well, it has been a minute, but I have fixed hoses before. So I checked the garage and had new connectors in there to use - cut the hose and added the new connector and problem solved. Sometimes it pays to be a packrat!!!!! It will get me through this season - as the hose really needs replaced.
- YARD WORK - lots of it for a good part of week. Mowed and trimmed everything. Worked on the fence row on the East side - as no one has ever lived there that gets within a foot on the fence when mowing or trimming!!!!!! Drives me nuts - now that is all cleared all the way back. Cleared a lot of stuff back in the bed closest to the back of house. Trimmed out the raspberry patch area. I need to work on the big bed - but need to pull a lot of stuff and it is just too dry to accomplish that!
- Harvesting veggies - not as many - but still growing! Harvesting herbs as well
- Made smoothies a couple times using old bananas - milk and ice. Refreshing snack
- Laundry using dehumidifier water in loads
- I did get out the fall-ish looking door decorations and put up - also changed out the yard flag
- I did run out one day. I filled my gas tank (hadn't done that since end of June), and only needed less than a half tank - also needed a bit more gas for mower. Used a .20 gal. discount
- While out I did stop at Kroger. I wanted to look at peaches and watermelons that were on sale. I did get peaches and plums - .99/lb. A big seedless watermelon for 2.99 (it is so-so). I got seedless grapes that are huge! THEN I found DEALS!!!!!!!! ****** Clearance! ****** I got several bags of frozen stir fry veggies for .42 a bag. Crisy green beans (frozen) for .97 bag, big bag of frozen broccoli for 1.17. Ice cream - 1/2 gal. for 1.13! (also had a .65 coupon I used too). Frozen roasted & seasoned small potatoes - .95/bag. Ground beef on clearance for 2.75/lb. (4 1/2 lbs.) and had a $1.25 off coupon as well. Watermelon was 2.99 and had a .50 off coupon too. Found fresh corn for .50 an ear. Not the best price - but I wanted some. Cheese was 1.49/8 oz. Also found Goya olives on manager's special for 1.29 a 6.5 oz. jar. I AM STOCKED!!!!!!!
I have been craving fruit and veggies all of a sudden!!!
Meals this past week:
Tostadas
Veggie lo-mein
Lo-mein leftover, fried eggs and toast & sliced tomatoes
Fried chicken (freezer) and mashed potatoes (needing comfort food too)
Poor man's Swiss steak and mashed potatoes & toms
Corn, grilled zucchini steaks and sliced tomatoes
Fish sandwich, homemade fries, and slaw w/chopped tomatoes
Dang, this was tasty!!!!
So how was your week? Have you found any deals or been putting 'up' any garden goods? Getting ready for fall/winter in any way?
I sure hope all are well and safe. There are several I have not seen post in a spell, and please know you are on my mind. Elise, hope you are doing better with much less pain! Hoping all you gals in Florida and East coast are OK - and fared well through the hurricane.
Gosh there are hurricanes, fires, and storms galore - just praying that you and your families are all safe, protected and healthy.
Blessings to you and yours from my humble little home.
Look forward to hearing from you all this lovely weekend.
ENJOY your holiday!!!!!!!
***********************************
Happy September Cheryl. I'm sitting here wondering how in the world the summer is almost over already. We had the same weather this week and it was awesome to air the house out every morning. Binx loves the fresh air and looking out at his backyard. I'm still working on preserving for the fall/winter. Today I'm firing up the grill and roasting a ton of peppers. They will be great this winter in soups, stews and chili. I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI know - I am with you. Wondering how can it be Sept. already!!! The fresh air has been bliss!
DeleteMmmm those peppers will be so yummy!
Have a great week!
I can't get over the grocery prices where you live. A watermelon for $3 or frozen veg for <$1 just doesn't happen around here. The best deal here was a gift pack of fish, scallops & moose burgers from the young fellow who hunts on my place each yr. So appreciated. I ate the first ripe garden tomato yesterday. It was a relatively quiet week. I had the neighbor little one day while her parents hauled bales; had lunch & scrabble date with friends (I got a sound beating); attended the rodeo parade & finals where my young niece competed in the break away roping. The air is filled with smoke the past 2 days; my eyes are burning & the house shut up against it. An Aug task is to turn the mattress end to end. It's not possible to turn one over with a pillow top mattress. Still no reliable landline. A tech scheduled for Fri didn't appear; that may be the final straw. I will explore dropping this service. In the kitchen: pork chops in onion gravy with roasted veg; tsatsiki; cucumber/onion salad; chicken salad. Have a good week, Cheryl and all.
ReplyDeleteHere in the midwest region, prices seem to be a lot better than many places. The veggies were on clearance - not sure why. But I grabbed them! We get good prices on watermelon a couple times a year.
DeleteFirst tomato???? Wow, you are late getting harvest. I guess you plant later as well. Glad you got one finally - nothing like the taste! Nice on the gift of meats/fish.
Sounds like a fun week, except for the smoke.
Dang, still no phone - that is crazy. They sure aren't reliable!
Mmmm the meals sound so good. Comfort food!
Have a lovely week.
The 23rd Psalm says it all. I have found more Scripture to print out for my little display frame. It's been a fun project, selecting verses and fonts.
ReplyDeleteWow, you found lots of bargains! Didn't find any bargains this week but did pull out a package of barbacoa beef from the freezer. Used some to make tacos for the Sabbath. Will use the rest today to make chili. We eat chili year round! Think I'll cut off an ear of corn and chop some jalapenos to add to cornbread. The jalapenos have not been the least warm this year.
Very interesting about the opossum carrying the leaves. The Farmer didn't know that either. We would just as soon that the coons mosey on.
Going to do some fiddly things today. Closets and drawers always need a good straightening. Soon be time to switch out wardrobes. I checked the weather and it doesn't look rain any time soon.
I think the Psalm says it all as well - that was enough today!
DeleteYour cornbread sounds yummy.
Oh, they are fun to watch. First time I saw it - I thought there was something wrong with the possum - then I watched. Crazy.
I think today is a fiddle day here too. Maybe a shower on Tues. or Wed. nothing much.
Have a great week.
Summer corn from local farms has been fabulous and we've been using it in lots of dishes including eating it raw right off the cob which is my favorite way to eat corn
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me of being a kiddo! Thanks for that memory. Daddy and I would eat tomatoes right from the plant - and we would pull corn and shuck and eat it raw standing in the garden!
DeleteI pan seared mine today on the cob! Kind of like grilled.
Have a good week!
WOW! You really found some deals while you were shopping. I am now walking Scruffy late in the evening (as I usually do) and now it is dark already. I love fall but have loved my summer this year, too. We have broken records though with the heat and I think this weekend will also break records. I am ready for that part of summer to be gone. Have a blessed Sunday-xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI got lucky!!!
DeleteYep, dark comes early now. I love summer - but the heat records can go bye-bye!
Enjoy your week!
Good morning, Not sure what is up today or tomorrow. I have food to use up in the frig, I am thinking of making a chicken pot pie and a quiche. Really that's about it. Some checking on stuff in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThinking about Elise this morning.
I like those 'not sure' what is up days!!!! Just wing it.
DeleteBoth pot pie and quiche sound yummy!
She posted last night or early morning of yesterdays post - she slept through the night! I hope her pain is receding.
Have a wonderful week!!!!!!!
Thank you both. And yes. See below. (((Hug))) --Elise
DeleteSquirrels hid nuts and acorns in my yard, so I had to pull the little trees. Otherwise, I would live in a forest. I have never seen a possum carrying things with its tail. How interesting. We bought the largest grapes I have ever seen, almost as large as a golf ball. And, they were delicious.
ReplyDeleteI have never really seen anything growing other nut peanut vines in planters. It is interesting to watch - they are clever.
DeleteHope your grapes were as tasty as mine!
Have a good week.
No shopping this week for me, though I did have to fill my gas tank - the second time in less than a month. Of course, I had a 6 1/2 hour drive last weekend and that took care of most of a tank. It still hurts to fill up.
ReplyDeleteReading about all the yard work you accomplished makes me feel lazy and grateful too that my yard is much smaller. :)
Gas is up in price for sure! I can understand that you are using more with leaving for showings and such.
DeleteOh, it sounds like a lot - just glad the yard isn't bigger. I could do a lot more- but I hit my limit!
Have a wonderful week.
Happy Sunday. The pain has eased enough to be able to sleep and move around just a bit, for which I'm very grateful. Last night I dreamed I bought Monopoly Game type "get out of jail free" cards for 2 hour blocks of sleep at a time. LOL! But it seems to have worked.
ReplyDeleteNo shopping this week. Son did pick up some canned veggies, soup and fruit from Dollar General and dropped that off yesterday. Meals (snacks) have been crackers w/pb and half an apple. Stuff like that. Scrambled eggs w/toast. Hoping to be more functional by the end of the week when the bandages get changed.
Glad to read about YOUR week, Cheryl and everyone. :-)
--Elise
Glad to see you post. Hey, whatever works on the sleep! LOL! That is kind of funny! BUT it worked.
DeleteEat light, get some sleep, take your meds and HEAL! First few days have got to be toughest!!! Take good care!
Keeping you in prayer. Have a pain free week!!!!!!!
Good to hear from you, Elise, and glad the pain has eased up some. Praying it will soon end and you'll be able to sleep well. Take good care of yourself, and like Cheryl said, HEAL! Wanita
DeleteTHERE you are! Thanks for stopping in with an update.
DeleteEllie
Central Az
PS. I'm still giggling about your doctor's suggestion on how to get into the house. I have a mental picture of you scootching in and out..
MARYB - has you Blackie come back home yet? Any word on him? We sure do worry about our fur babies. HUGS!
DeleteNo, He has not. I.'m thinking Blackie had an unplanned dinner engagement with a coyote. :( I'm just having to tough it out.
DeleteMaryB
Oh Mary I am so sorry. Keeping my fingers crossed he comes home.
DeleteI'm praying your Blackie will get home. I'm so sorry about the unknown of it...
DeleteElise, I've been praying for you. : ) I'm so, so glad you are doing better and can sleep!
DeleteThank you all very much! Each day gets a little better. Mary, praying Blackie comes back soon. You just never know.
DeleteIt was a beautiful dawn this morning, and a beautiful morning now. Have a safe day, everyone. We've had ambulances and EMT trucks go down the road a few times this weekend. Praying for safety for all. --Elise
Fall seems to be holding off. The squirrels are a good indicator of the coming of cold weather Last year they stripped the hickory trees at the very end of July and they haven't even touched them yet this year. They have never left them so late. It will be very hot here all this week. I hope it is the last of it!
ReplyDeleteThose crazy deals at the grocery store were better than I can do at the salvage stores! I hope you happen upon hoses on clearance to replace your worn out one.
Have a good week!
I hope fall holds off as well. Not happening anytime soon here!
DeleteI still having hungry hummies - and they are usually gone by now.
They were crazy good deals. I love it when that happens. Think I am going to Big Lots tomorrow to look around at clearance - maybe I will find a soaker hose. Got this last one on clearance at K-Mart years ago.
Have a great one.
It's hot here in MN - high 90's and humid at least through tomorrow. So thankful for air-conditioning, but will be glad when we can open windows again.
ReplyDeleteI did windows last week - not today! Stay cool and hoping it cools a bit soon.
DeleteHave a lovely week.
That’s surely some great deals, I love it when that happens. I picked up a little bit of marked down produce this week but mainly BOGO on stuff I use regularly, so I had a bit of a stock up there.
ReplyDeleteI had three days at home and got on top of all my housework, which made me feel good. It’s only a small home but really needs a deep clean from top to bottom, sometimes I think smaller homes are harder to keep tidy....less places to hide stuff.
Hoping you are feeling better soon Elise.
Have a great week everyone. Louise
I love it too - it doesn't happen that often! Glad you had time to get things done. Yes, it is much harder to hide the 'stuff' in a small home!!!!
DeleteHave a wonderful week. Please tell Ms. Linda to have a lovely week as well!!!
Thank you, Louise. Yes, small homes DO seem to take a little more effort to look tidy than large ones, but I so love a smaller house (and am grateful for it). --Elise
DeleteNot only do I not see those kinds of deals at my Kroger, but I don't see those kinds of coupons. You must be living right! I did find some clearance supplements and they ended up being cheaper than Costco. The peaches (and nectarines) were .99 a pound here as well and they've been quite good. My tomatillos have just started to set fruit. It won't freeze here until next month, so I'm hopeful.
ReplyDeleteGreat Scripture. Thank you, Cheryl.
Ellie
Central Az
I got the coupons on my digital feed as extras - for being a good shopper!!! (that is what it said). I also get a packet of coupons every month from Kroger. The peaches and plums are yummy!
DeleteI raised tomatillos one year and made salsa. Hope you have plenty of time for harvest!
Have a wonderful week.
Yay on the peaches and nectarines, Ellie. Son will be picking some up for us today. Our sales, too, haven't been great, but I'm so well stocked I don't worry.
DeleteTurns out I did different than doc suggested: instead of scooting up the steps to the front door on my butt, I crawled up on my knees. Getting around in the house on the wheelchair option of my walker + the knee scooter. So far, so good. Getting out again for the bandage change later this week should be video worthy. LOL! --Elise
No shopping here. In fact I emptied the fridge and brought anything that could spoil up here to Kris's. He will be able to use everything for sure.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Let the fun begin!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear about your adventures!!!!!!
DeleteHave a wonderful trip and be blessed!
Welcome to Sept.! Like you, temps were beautiful last week, and now we're back in the heat and humidity! This past week was spent tidying up my front porch. I tackled a nagging doorbell -- previous owners attached it with some double-sided tape that quit holding shortly after I moved here. Couldn't replace just the push button, because it's wireless and tied to the chime; I'd have to replace both the doorbell and chime. Nope, nada. $0.60 later (and it could have been done for $0.30, but I wasn't sure on the screw size), the doorbell is permanently affixed to the door frame. I made it a point to return the doorbell I originally bought, before I knew it had to be paired to the chime, so have a $16 credit on my card. I also washed the storm door and exterior of the transom and sidelight windows, and did a small paint touch-up. I'm waiting until our Assn's landscaping company has completed Fall clean-up before I do anything with the gardens. If the Assn is going to pay for it, they can have at it!
ReplyDeleteI've been getting peppers and small tomatoes from the deck planters, enough for salads and personal cooking, but not enough to put up. Herbs are producing well, so long as I keep them watered. I trimmed back my romaine which had gone to seed, and they're now putting out new leaves. Another week and I'll be harvesting fresh lettuce again.
I did need to make a run to visit with my mom in SW Michigan yesterday. Her senior living complex put on a "family BBQ" with games and a petting zoo for all resident families. We had our choice of pulled pork or pulled chicken BBQ on a bun, chips, baked beans, coleslaw, watermelon wedges, and ice cream treats for dessert. Beverages were pop or bottles of water. A great time, and the food was surprisingly good!
While in Michigan, I picked up another 10# box of romas to finish off 3-4 quarts for my chef-friend (he and his wife feed me at least 2x a month, it's the least I can do; this will give him a full case), as well as ingredients for my copycat Harry & David pepper relish -- when I cleaned my pantry, I discovered I was down to 2 @ 4 oz jars. Plus, I got banana peppers for stuffing and zucchini for a batch of bread for an upcoming fundraiser. But the best deal of all -- gas for $3.53 gal with my Shell rewards card. Here, at Shell, it was $4.89 gal. I filled up at the Mich.-Indiana state line, so I had a nearly full tank when I got home.
Good fix on the doorbell! I love when I can fix something myself and cheaply too!! Girl power!
DeleteGlad you are getting some personal harvest. Wow on the lettuce. Once mine went to seed it was nasty and done.
Sounds like a lovely visit with mom and good food too!
Gas has sure shot up. Glad you got a discount and have a pretty full tank.
Sounds like you and your friends take good care of each other!!!! I love that!
Have a wonderful week. Stay cool!
Hi...we are fine down here in Naples. FL. Had some wind and a little rain for the hurricane. Dodged the bullet...this time...
ReplyDeleteSuper hot here, but trying to do 2 hours a day of yard work to keep up. Come in sopping wet!
Happy Labor Day, all...we are doing nothing :)
So glad to hear you are OK. I have a couple other ladies down that way - still no word from them yet.
DeleteGlad you had no damage.
It is best to limit your time outdoors. That yard work isn't going any where - unfortunately!
Stay safe doing nothing!!!!! Have a great week.
Glad to hear you were spared the worst. I'm with Cheryl... the yard work will still be there when temps drop a bit.
Delete--Elise
We are doing nothing for Labor Day. We did buy some bogo items. I baked chicken thighs, ten chicken thighs and four turkey thighs with carrots and potatoes, freezing most of the thighs for meals for Tommy. The bscb that I freeze are for me. I think I have about 30 frozen for me. We were going to plant carrot seeds today, but definitely will tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteDoing nothing here too. Sounds like you have been busy with cooking. Nice to have meals backed up in the freezer.
DeleteHave a great week.
I love the neat meme with the cat, that is so beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteYour meals sound delicious, Cheryl. I need to try zucchini steaks, love stuff like that and also like corn too.
Psalms 23. Yes, I read that every morning slowly and I just love the part..."Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..." I have a Susan Winget calendar with beautiful sheep, many times she uses Psalms 23. I also have a Susan Winget mug with that very verse on it with the sheep at Christmas. Love it.
Today will be a busy one, must tidy up. Our family will be over today...Doing veggie tacos with all siete chips and tortillas too along with organic corn crunchie taco shells from Trader Joes. (Very reasonable for organic corn taco shells!) Yay! ... and fixings plus our family will bring additions. : ) I'm going to try my hand this morning at making a vegan cheese dip with soaked cashews, carrots and nutritional yeast etc. I hope it turns out good.
Hoping all is well, nice to read your post! Hugs! ~Amelia
Glad to see you are OK. worried you might have had storm damage.
DeleteYour day and menu sounds lovely. I hope you have a wonderful day with the family. Good luck with the dip!
23rd Psalm is one of my favorites!
Have a wonderful week.
Cheryl, your veggie plate looks delicious! I need more of those in my life :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my blog address has changed. Not sure if this comment will lead you straight back or if you have to do something different, but the domain changed from:
milliescozycottagelife.com to milliescozycottagelife.blogspot.com.
Thanks for letting me know. I will try the new one and see how it goes.
DeleteI just love veggies and fruit. I love meat - but would have no problem eating veggies all the time!
Have a great week.
Got the new one set and we are good to go!!!!!!!
DeletePrayers for Hubs, please. The dogs went on a chase of a rabbit and pulled him over for a bad spill. Although little by little I'm able to do more for myself, I still need him and feel bad that this happened. He's scraped up pretty badly and (no doubt) bruised.
ReplyDelete:-( --Elise
Oh goodness. When it rains it pours. Prayers for your hubby that he is OK and nothing major hurt.
DeleteThe weather was cool when I went outside this morning to feed the cats. It was still humid, but much cooler. You made out like a bandit at Kroger on the markdowns. 42 cents for frozen vegetables, WOW! That is amazing. Your vegetable plate for dinner looks so good, I would love a plate like that, no meat needed at all. I hope you have another good week, Cheryl. Hopefully the humid weather will be behind us soon,
ReplyDeleteIt felt decent here this morning - but yes the humidity is still around. Supposed to be gone in a few days. Ut stays breezy here which helps and some overcast skies. Both a plus.
DeleteThe zucchini kind of replaced meat in my opinion.
I was more than pleased to find the veggies!
Have a wonderful week.
I loved seeing all the wonderful things you were able to get at the store for such a good price! It has been getting hot again in our area too. I am looking forward to the upcoming scenery of Autumn, here in New England. It is an exciting time of year.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I figure I need to show pics or people may not believe those prices!!!!! LOL
DeleteWe have cooler days coming later in the week. I can only imagine fall colors in your area. I bet it is just gorgeous! I would love to visit that area someday!
Have a great week.
Well, I got all moved in to my daughters house today! I have a few more things at the old house and have to wait for the movers (Friday) to take the rest of my stuff to a storage unti, but for the most part, I am done.
ReplyDeleteNow on to new adventures!
Good for you. New adventures can be a lot of fun. Hope you are happy, and well settled. I love people combining homes!
DeleteHave a wonderful week!
Very fall here and loving it! Very cool on only needing half a tank. For our gas mowers, we ditched those years ago because I was allergic. We went with a battery operated mower. No pull string. Oh my gosh, I love this mower.
ReplyDeleteWe might be fall like by the end of the week. Enjoy the cooler weather. I know a couple people with those kind of mowers. I just love that fresh cut grass smell!
DeleteHave a good week.
First Night Painless Sleep and Post-Op Lessons:
ReplyDeleteSlept w/o pain for the 1st time last night. Awesome!! And now the lessons...
--have bandages checked BEFORE you leave hospital; swelling happens post op. It took until Friday evening to discover the ace bandages wrapped around the dressings were too tight. As in purple/blue toes too tight. That adds to pain.
--If at home (as I've been), trust your body with pain meds. I've always done better with OTC pain meds than codeine type pills. It took a few days to work out what works best.
--Drink lots of water and eat fibrous foods, such as apples, raw carrots, etc. 'Nuff said.
--Eat small amounts more frequently. That more than anything staves off nausea, acid reflux, etc.
--Move however much you can. I'm grateful an Aunt insisted I have a bedside potty chair for nights. I'm grateful we had the walker/wheelchair combo and the knee scooter. Changing position helps where pain is concerned. The more you get up, the better you feel.
--Sleep whenever you can. Don't worry about a schedule.
--Pray, pray, pray. It's amazing how much that helps. It really DOES.
--Bottom line? Just use good, common sense. Listen to your body. Listen to the Lord.
--Focus on other things when you're able. A book. A streamed show on TV. Reading what everyone else is doing. I've been happy to read what everyone here is up to. Hope all your holiday weekend festivities were wonderful. Those of you who shared menus, thank you. It all sounds wonderful! So do your produce buys, kitchen/house projects and more!!
I share this because I know at least Sluggy has upcoming surgery. The 1st days can be really rough. Maybe you can avoid some of my initial pitfalls. Speaking of which, Hubs' ego is bruised more than his body is from his tumble yesterday.
And finally, our Blue girl has been a remarkable dog in everything. She follows me/us around. Sitting quietly, then, guarding. Her little nub tail wagging when we praise her. When we open the bedroom door (usually closed to keep Poppy out), Blue goes in to check and make sure all is okay, then comes back with a smile and bark.
--Elise
Glad you're home and on your way to recovery. Yeah, the first couple of days are definitely an adjustment period. Move as much aS you can. It really helps. Everything, wink wink! Just another reason to avoid the serious pain meds, if you can.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Blue is taking good care of you! I'll be back later.