Weekly Wrap up 5/18

 Happy Sunday to all.  I sure hope all are well and SAFE!  There was a lot of horrible weather again this past week.  We have some particularly nasty storms fly through on Friday evening.  It came hard and fast - didn't stick around long here, but it was scary none the less.  South of here was the path for a long stream of tornado damage.  The 2 towns that my niece and nephews live in both got hit.  They are all safe and sound thank God.  My niece said it was directly across the country road from their house.  Her hubs saw it and screamed take shelter.  Too close for comfort in my book.

I had a lot of stuff to pick up, but that was it.  I sure hope many of you that are in the areas of the storm are all safe.

It was really hot a couple of days (and humid).  After the storm it has cooled dramatically.  I like it.  You can work without getting so hot.  It will be cooler all this coming week as well.  Highs in 60's and low 70's.  I could handle this all summer!!!

It is hard to believe that next weekend is Memorial weekend here in the U.S. and it is one week until the 500 Mile Race.

                                              My front walk and 'sitting' porch!

My frugal week:

• Flowers all planted and some of the garden (not done yet)
• Did my final turn over of the garden and prepping it
• 'Chuck' the groundhog had decided to hang out here a LOT - didn't want that with all the tender plants going in.  I poured ammonia around the deck and shed (to simulate urine of predator w/o cost).  It didn't bother the cat, the squirrels, birds or opossum - but Chuck didn't like it and has left the AREA!  Animal urine scents are super expensive at the store - and they say they don't like the smell of pee - so gave it a try.  Must have thought some big new guy was around and left!
• Went to the bank and got my 'allowance' for the first time since October!  I made it through Christmas and several months with the last!
• Picked 3 vases of flowers.  I have picked and replaced as needed this week.  Tons of peonies (oh that smell), roses and Clematis - I love walking through the house and getting a whiff of the peonies!

Tried cutting a Clematis flower for the first time and it lasted 5 days in a vase!  They are so pretty and big.

• I got the rain barrels set up finally - day late after the mid-week downpour!  But they are out and collecting now
• Paid all the bills I had over the phone (reminder postage goes up again soon)
• Made more hummingbird nectar
• Mowed and trimmed earlier in week (needs again)
• Picked up a lot of debris from the yard (good bending exercise)
• Mower kept stopping for some reason (new one), so I checked it out and the plug wasn't making good contact - fixed that
• I did have to turn on AC on 2 afternoons for a few hours each - to remove humidity mainly.  Won't need now for over the next week.
• I got a summons for jury duty for later in June - UGH.  Hopefully they won't pick my number.  At least I wouldn't have to go downtown - as they have moved the courts very close to my home, that is a plus
• All meals from home and from what I have - using leftovers when possible.
• Had a desire for something sweet on a hot day - made a root beer float.  Had a can of root beer in frig since holiday - boy did it hit the spot!
• Pulling weeds and just doing odds and ends outside when weather permitted
• NO grocery shopping

Meals this past week:

Pasta/veggie salad and summer sausage with crackers

Pasta salad and smoked sausage sandwich

2 Mexican pizzas

Chicken legs, corn on cob and carrots sticks

Cream cheese and veggie roll-ups (wraps)

Tuna salad sandwich, pretzels, and pickles

'Rustic' succotash, pork loin (from freezer) and cukes/toms

So there you have it.  Not real exciting, just plugging along a little at a time.  I will be taking sis some rhubarb this week - as she is looking to make a strawberry/rhubarb pie for her kids for the holiday weekend.  She is doing really well.  I plan to finish the garden as well.

I hope to enjoy the porch too with the cooler weather!

So how was your week?  Did you get any good deals?  Have you got all your plantings in?  Give us a shout out and let us know that you are OK from storms as well!!!!

Wishing each of you a pleasant and prosperous week ahead - stay healthy and safe.

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

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If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.

Galatians 5:25-26

Lord again we thank you so much for all our many blessings and our strengths.  Please help us each to mind ourselves and to be kind to all others and not provoke or cause harm in any way.  Let us each know that our words can be swords and can cut and hurt, may we all be kind and helpful.

AMEN