Happy Sunday to all. I hope this finds you all safe and well. It is a gloomy start to the week here, and it is still drizzling rain. We had about 1/2" of rain over night - much needed. It is around 56*F this morning. According to predictions it will be above average through Thanksgiving at the end of the month for my area! No snow here for a while!! I am good with that.
Speaking of the S word - Christmas is just a mere 45 days away!!! OH MY!
Sis, is in rehab as of this week. She is slowly working to improve and be able to function again on her own. She still hurts a LOT - but she is determined! Please continue to keep her in your thoughts.
My frugal week:
- Still eating garden tomatoes, a lot
- Cut a beautiful rose this week - oh it smelled so sweet. Lasted almost all week. I still have many pretty flowers blooming
- Rehab visits with sis
- Stopped at Menards while visiting sis. Got some fun add-ins for holiday baskets (mushroom growing kits), things for kiddos and some things I had trouble finding for gardening this year - all set for next year
- Froze leftovers I had or used in a new way
- Cleaned out refrigerator and consolidated many jars and bottles
- Made 14 pints of salsa & canned - most will be gifts. I have plenty from past for my needs & cooking
- Washed lots of freezer bags (from tomatoes) to use again
- I raked a ton of leaves and have a big pile ready to put on garden once it is totally empty
- I mowed the entire yard - the rigged-up wheel worked just fine!
- Cut the last little cabbages from garden
- Used the scalding canning water on the still thriving weeds out front in the rock!
- Did some mending
- Made OJ from concentrate
- Hard boiled several eggs for snacks
- Meals from home and using what I have on hand
- Got to punch a new hole in my belt! WOOHOO
Meals this past week:
Chili and crackers
Baked potato w/cheese/sour cream and side salad
Sausage/egg biscuit and sliced toms
Nachos - using chili as well as cheese
Pepperoni/cheese calzone (hand pie) and pan seared brussel sprouts
Grilled fish (used G. Foreman grill) and salad
Beef chunks/peppers/onions over pasta with a little homemade salsa (left from canning)
SNACKS - fruit, pickles, cheese & crackers, cup of chili
There you have it. Lots of little things - but I guess it adds up. How was your week? What have you been up to? Crafting, canning, freezing, cleaning, etc.?
Tis the season that many will be busy getting ready for the upcoming holidays.
Let us know what you are up to? Check in if has been a while! PLEASE
Continued prayers for those who suffered much loss with storms. Hoping everyone is well, safe and healthy in this coming week.
Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.
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Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Lord, we thank You for allowing us to be here another week. Help us each to know that Your will be done, and that may not be what we have asked for. Your will is the way always. We ask and seek, but we cannot know what the answers should be. We ask for peace and understanding amongst all people of earth. Thank You for all our many blessings and help us to see and realize that there ARE blessings each day, in spite of what we think. AMEN
My most favorite money saving thing this week was a coupon for a free candle, which I made sure I took to the store and used! I forgot to write on my blog that I made a batch of home made applesauce in my crock pot—cooked the chopped apples all day and then just wizzed with my stick blender and froze it in plastic containers in the freezer. Made three quarts applesauce. A small amount, but almost no work at all. Sure different from when I have in the past spent all day long canning applesauce, making 200 quarts and more! More activities are listed on my blog here, along with pictures. https://jesuscallsmefriend.blogspot.com/2024/11/pennies-from-heaven_01302134511.html
ReplyDeleteWoohoo on a free candle. I love the holiday scents!
DeleteNice on the applesauce. I think I may do apple butter this week in crockpot. Our crockpots sure do come in handy.
Have a blessed week.
Apple butter is the best!!!! I absolutely love making it in the crock pot and smelling the spices cook all day! For my use, I then freeze it, and for gifts I still can some.
DeleteMy plan is for gifts mainly - of course I will need a jar for here!
DeleteCute little kitty, good for you for providing a home for him. I have also always been a collector of strays. My husband found my cat by a dumpster (skin and bones) obviously dumped, pregnant had one kitten who we kept. Some people are very mean and irresponsible when it comes to pets, would probably be better off with a goldfish.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too sure about the poor goldfish, I think some folks would be better with a Pet Rock. :( Geez Louise, some folks are plain cruel. I wonder if they mean to be or just don't think, no empathy?
DeleteWe sang hymns yesterday as a Healing Time from this hurricane stuff. It was a grand day, I enjoyed seeing folks and singing. :)
MaryB
I know this boy had to be dropped off as there were no others around. But he got a good home! All of my cats over the years have been rescued - they just showed up and got to stay. I am a collector as well! It is very rewarding.
DeleteSome people just make me ill. Can't understand how you can mistreat innocent sweet things.
Have a wonderful week.
Mary I agree. There are 'people' out there that should own nothing living! I wonder about those folks too.
DeleteHow lovely you got to go to a singing. I bet it was enjoyed by all - singing or listening. Nice respite from all the work.
Have a lovely week.
Excellent devotional! The Father's will is supreme. Count your many blessings, one by one...
ReplyDeleteBits sure is a cutie! Blackie was a good example for him.
I was wondering how your sister is faring. She is on my prayer list.
The sun has come out and sunshine is always welcome. Do you remember a preacher who had a radio program and his theme song was "Heavenly Sunshine"?
Your meals always sound yummy! We are having wings today with homemade cole slaw. Actually more of a cabbage salad, because I add several veg to it. I went out in my pyjamas (again) this morning to cut some peppers, pull green onions and gather a few cherry tomatoes for breakfast. The sugar snap peas are growing like crazy. Need to pull turnips and gather most of the peppers before it turns cold in a few nights.
Thank you.
DeleteYes, he is so stinking cute! They are sleeping together right now on the couch. I got shoved off !
Talked with sis this morning and she is doing a little better each day. She hopes to go home in a week - I don't see that - but hey she is thinking positive.
We are seeing moments of sun - it is always appreciated. Gosh you are doing great still harvesting. I add tomatoes to my slaw often - love it that way. I am having chicken today as well.
Have a beautiful week.
I don't have a scale to weigh myself but last weekend at was at someone's house who has one so I weighed myself. I was again there this weekend and I was happy to discover I'd lost a couple pounds. I've cut out sugar and most things made from flour. Otherwise, I eat pretty healthy (from scratch, no seed oils). I had a friend drop 16 pounds after dropping sugar from her coffee! That was an eye opener for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on Christmas gifts. Gift baskets for the adults and the grands will be getting items I'm sewing. My daughters and I do a baking day in December. This year I'm making less batches of cookies. All of us are cutting back on the sweets. A lot did go into the freezer in the past but it did get eaten. We just don't need all that now. I asked my grandson what he wanted to help me make and I'm focusing on that. When I look at my cookie cookbook I do want to make them all! Lol
Good for you! I have tried to cut most sugar. I do indulge now and then - but nothing like I used to. It sure makes a difference.
DeleteI dropped back on baking sweets a lot in the past few years. Couple kinds of cookie and maybe a candy - then trail mix or something. I used to make so many things.
Your plan sounds like a good one. The time together is the most precious thing!
Everything always looks good - but we sure don't need it.
Have a super week.
Bits is so cute and yes I think he knows he is living his best life. I'm glad to hear your sister is in rehab. That should help her to heal. Her spirit and you visiting her is a big help too. I'll keep her in my prayers. Sounds like a pretty good week there for you. We had a LOT of rain off and on all week. Today it's sunny and gorgeous. I plan on going out in a bit to trim up a few bushes and low hanging limbs. Enjoy your Sunday!!
ReplyDeleteHe is living his best life! They are just the sweetest things.
DeleteYes, talked with her this morning via phone and she is in good spirits. Hanging in there. Thank you!
Sun is peeking out here now. Looks like 60's all week. We got some rain midweek too - and then last night. Enjoy your yard work.
Have a lovely week!
Hi Cheryl, long time lurker, first time poster. Your beautiful prayer at the end of this post spurred me to comment. It is so relevant to my situation at this present moment, and it gave me great comfort and hope. I just wanted to say thank you for uplifting me! Best, Liz from New York
ReplyDeleteHello Liz, so nice to have you here. Thank you for taking time to post. Thank you so much - some versus just speak to me as I read the Bible, and some points in time the prayers just happen. Life has been turmoil for many of late - we just need peace amongst each other and know whatever may happen God has a plan for us. I hope all goes well for you, and glad you got something from today's post. Please stop by again.
DeleteBlessings for a wonderful week.
That darn kitty could have his own TV show, he is that cool.
ReplyDeleteContinued prayers for your sister.
Take care, Louise
He is sure a hoot! He loves to play and run and romp - and he is a lover too.
DeleteThank you!
Have a super week.
It's cloudy here today too and I keep hearing wind, but look out the window and don't see it, so it much be my imagination. No rain so far. I can't believe Christmas is just 45 days away, it will be here before we know it. We have a spoiled tuxedo kitty too, we love them so much. They are a lot of company! Your salsa sounds delicious and will make such nice gifts! Woo Hoo...congratulations on the new belt hole, don't you just love it? I know I do. :)
ReplyDeleteSun finally came out some and it is breezy. I know Christmas is just around the corner. The salsa with maybe some specialty chips and maybe fun cheeses will be fun.
DeleteOh, he is such a joy to be around. He and Blackie love to lie together on the couch. They sure got a better life than before.
Yep, it felt pretty nice. Just trying to get the waist down a little.
Have a lovely week.
Nice on the belt hole. Cute kitty. Most of my cats have been strays that got brought in. Right now I've got a 14 year old, Nubby, the mom was a stray and someone was taking them for barn cats, but poor boy only had 3 legs and a nub (the umbilical cord was wrapped around it and was dead and had fallen off) so I took him in cause I didn't know how well he could handle outside life, and a 5 year old that belonged to a stray that showed up and had kittens on my porch and the neighbors dog had gotten off it's chain and attacked and killed all his siblings. I beat that dog (probably stupid in hindsight as aggressive as he was because he was fighting like crazy and I couldn't get him off) til he let go, but it was too late for the rest.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, frugal wise:
After Halloween shopping - 50% off candy so I bought a little to eat and some put up to go in Christmas treat bags for my son's class, 75% off everything else, I got Minecraft swords and hooded blankets for the kids for Christmas, 1.49 shirts for next year, a knitted throw I'm just in love with, Halloween shaped cat treats, some cereal.
Used 10% off military discount at Lowe's. We have to go to the next county for it so we had been getting most stuff locally even though it costs more, but the wood siding we were buying was significantly cheaper at Lowe's and we got the discount and saved a lot.
Made banana bread with old bananas, homemade bread and pizza dough, cashed in my credit card points for cash back (it stays paid off so I never pay interest but love getting the cash back for using it!), used .40 off per gallon of gas at Kroger, and had cashed in points for coupons at Kroger from their points rewards plus and got a free bag of goldfish, $10 off produce, and $10 off meat purchase.
Thank you for rescuing your babies. I have always just had every kitty I have had over many years just show up. I am a rescuer too! Poor babies - I am glad you saved the one kitten anyway.
DeleteNice savings at Lowes!
I love those points too. I pay mine off every time I use it, but the points still accumulate.
You did great at Kroger - wow. Nice coupons.
Hope you have another fantastic week.
Not a truly frugal week here, but any purchase was necessary so I could visit all of you and get my budget input for last month. I did buy the computer on sale and got another discount on top of it. That made me happy.
ReplyDeleteYou had a great frugal week.
God bless.
I look at a computer as a necessary expense in todays world. They aren't cheap - but considering the use we get from them - they really are frugal in a way. We use them for everything.
DeleteGlad you got a good deal.
Thanks
Have a blessed week.
Congrats on the new hole in your belt! I know how good that feels. I need to get back to eating well again. Seeing the scale at the neurologist this past week got my attention. lolz
ReplyDeleteThanks - just trying to lighten the waste/tummy area a little - it is just uncomfortable. It adds up quickly - harder to get gone!
DeleteHave a good week.
My husband is having surgery on Nov. 22nd. I would ask any of you, so inclined, to pray for him. Thank you. Cindy/WV
ReplyDeleteWill do, Cindy!
DeleteCindy, absolutely, I will pray for him and his surgery team and for complete healing. Prayers for you as well, as I know that you will be stressed. Please keep us informed.
DeleteHave a blessed week
I have been sick since Halloween. Going to Urgent care today though. Can't take it anymore.
ReplyDeleteCooked end of last week so have plenty to eat during the week. I feel like Chili though and may make some. I am putting out my Christmas trees this week. i love trees though and three stay up all year. They are not decorated, I just love trees. I decorate very simpy for Christmas so it just feels like IDK, I am surrounded by trees! And I love that. I live in Florida and will not have snow and cold weather so I do what I can to have a little semblence of winter. weird, I know. Enjoy your week all.
I will pray for everyone that needs prayers! And ieven if you don't because, we can all use some prayer, right? xoxo
So sorry you have been so sick. Hopefully they can give you something to make you feel better.
DeleteChili makes everything better in my opinion!
Heck, you decorate the way you like it. We all have our own ways. If all I saw was palm trees I might want a lot of trees around as well! Enjoy them all, decorated or not.
Feel better soon - and have a good restful week.
It has been crazy busy here. DH's biopsy was negative , Praise God.
ReplyDeleteThe chimney is finally repaired and we thought that's the end of repairs for a while and then my stair lift chair stopped working on Friday and the repairman couldn't get here until today. It needs a new circuit board. When it rains it does pour. We've been getting all of the garden produce blanched and into the freezer. I replenished the freezer with two loaves of homemade bread, 7 dozen cookies, 30 cinnamon buns, and 3 dozen homemade English muffins in preparation for Thanksgiving.The cinnamon buns and English muffins are so easy and don't require any kneading. The long rising times develop the yeast. I found both recipes on biggerbolderbaking.com . Love me some easy baking.
Everything is in the freezer. While we were doing errands this week we noticed that a lot of houses already have their Christmas lights and decorations up and lit trees in their windows. With all the warm weather we've been having it's probably a good move to get everything up before inclement weather sets in.
Rained here last night and early this morning. It was greatly needed as we've had no rain in over a month and the whole count is under a burn ban. Cream of zucchini soup for dinner tonight. Have a blesse day. Cookie
So happy the biopsy was negative!!!
DeleteYes, when it rains it pours as the saying goes. Dang.
Oh, I want to come to your house - sounds like a lot of goodies going in the freezer. I think they would be good going in my tummy!!! LOL
My neighbor across the street is putting up decorations as I type this. I think people are taking advantage of the warmer temps.
Nice you got the rain. Went all of Oct. with none and then rain started coming in Nov. It sure helps.
Cream of zucchini soup sounds so good. Have a wonderful week.
I returned from a w/e away to a skiff of snow on the ground today. I went to see Jane Siberry in concert. I'm on winter mode with the outside work all done. The last of the tomatoes were made into tomato sauce last week. It was a relatively quiet week with routine household chores. The furnace/duct cleaning was completed. Prices continue to creep up. Covered 5 miles on the regular walks. Enjoying Matlock, starring Kathy Bates & The Voice on tv. Just started the 11th season of Call the Midwife. In the kitchen: roasted trout, coleslaw, fish tacos, nalysnyky, skor cookies, baked spaghetti w/ meat sauce.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun weekend.
DeleteGlad you have your fall work done and are set for winter. i still have things to complete - as the weather is pretty nice. OK, need to know what nalysnyky and skor cookies are????? Please and thanks. Not something I have heard of.
Have a restful week.
Nalysnyky are small "pancakes" rolled with dry cottage cheese. Skor cookies - chewy toffee bits in the cookies dough. Both recipes can be googled.
DeleteThank you!
Delete