Hello and happy Sunday to all. I hope this finds you all safe and well.
Are you all spung forward???? I sure wish we would pick a time zone and stick with it!
It has been a wet and warm few days around here. Lots and lots of rain. Just as the back yard 'pond' was about gone - then more rain yesterday. It smells so wormy out there! The robins are loving it - a major buffet for them. The squirrels have been gathering leaves and rebuilding and building nests. Yesterday I saw my first red-winged blackbirds of the season.
The grass is getting greener, the daffies are about 6" high, poppies and lilies are popping up, spring is at hand. Yes, we will have more cold weather, but for now it is a lovely change.
Friday, we set records for the warmest March day! Later in the week, we may have flurries! You never know.
- Made a pot of chili and used the last of the taco lentils (freezer) in it. It was so good, some of the best chili I have made in ages
- Did a lot of walks - free exercise
- Messed with my other sewing machines (I have 3 total). Haven't used those 2 in ages, and one doesn't have a manual, so I did some You Tube research and got them all going and functioning well.
- Did more sewing (blankie)
- Trying to use some older items from the pantry
- I unplugged all the watering holes this week - at least for a while
- Super cleaned the storm drain - first went out and just pulled back a bunch of debris with a stake. Went out later and cleaned and shoveled all the gunk away from the drain - it flowed and flowed for hours. People had sump pumps draining out front and it was just sitting in street, until the drain was cleaned
- Picked up sticks that blew down in the winds
- Heat off and windows open for a few days - refreshing the house
- Made some sugar free instant pudding with an older clearance mix I ran across in the pantry - tasty snack
- Cut up more cukes and placed in pickle juice for flavor (great use for older cukes)
- Ran to Kroger - I had a couple coupons that were about to expire. FREE ice cream (48 oz) and nice dollars off on dry cat food. They had brisket on sale this week (last week was Aldi) and I got one more for the freezer (3.99 lb.). Also had a .65 off gal. of milk to use as well
- I stopped at the thrift store on the way back home - got bread (free) and I bought some fantastic tasting dip. I got a jar the last time I was in to try, and it is yummy - so I got more (I couldn't make as cheaply)
FREE BREAD
- Froze 2 containers of chili for later
- Doing all the normal things and general house keeping
- Visits - sis and with neighbors
Meals this past week:
Chili & crackers
Chili cheese fries
Chicken & noodles (freezer) and sauteed zucchini
Sauteed green beans/corn/onions and a Swiss burger
Mac & cheese w/broc. and faux lobster added
l/o mac & cheese and salad
Grilled 3 cheese sandwich and a cup of potato soup (freezer)
SNACKS - pudding, popcorn, Eng. muffins toasted, fruit
I am so over rain, but more is coming mid-week. It is so muddy outside - almost impossible to not get your shoes muddy. I wash the soles of shoes after feeding critters each day - only way to get rid of the mud and not track in! (they come off at door)
I shouldn't complain - earlier in the week when we had 4 1/2" of rain in a couple days - let us just say I was so thankful it was NOT snow - that would have been a ton.
I know I have several people here, who were in line of the rain and storms - I sure hope you did not get flooded or have any damage. I have been seeing a lot of sad pictures.
How was your week? Any deals? How is your weather? Reach out and say hello and let us know how you are faring. I keep you all in prayer - I know so many are going a lot right now.
I hope you all have a safe and healthy week ahead.
Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.
***************************
Blessed is the man who endures trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the sea.
James 1:5-6
Dear Lord, thank You for this past week and for the many gifts that we have received.
As we each go through our own different grief and frustrations, help us to each know that we are able to find bits of joy in the smallest things and even in our hardships if we look. Help us each to understand "thy will be done", as we most often do not. Help us to live Your will and not ours. Give us strength to endure all things and faith to know the love that You have for us. AMEN
The game of the week was dried beans and produce in large $1 bags! Long story. I realized I had eaten down my dried bean supply to only four months. I do my supply by one serving a day. So, I have been buying dried beans all week, and with my purchase yesterday I have bought 200 more servings of a variety of dried beans, which is approximately 6 and a half months worth. I bought lentils, pinto, lima, and navy beans. So, with my four months supply of mostly red beans I already had on hand, I will have approximately 10 and a half months supply. I will probably purchase one more large bag of 52 servings to get it close to a years supply! Whew! I guess it is good I eat them and don’t let them sit forever but I had no idea I had let my supply dwindle so. I will keep a closer eye on it in the future. The other big thing is that the grocery store sold huge bags of fresh produce for a dollar. I got an eggplant, two large dole salad bags, spaghetti squash, large yellow, red, orange peppers, lots of mushrooms, hot pepper, zucchini, lots of turnips! I had already made a pumpkin bean chili before going to the store, and I added sautéed peppers and the cooked spaghetti squash leftovers to the “Chili” and froze most of it for later. This week, I am going to concentrate on eating the salads, turnips, and the two zucchini mushroom casseroles I have prepared from the new produce. It has been in the mid 80’s and hot! However, it rained all night and believe it will drop into the 70’s. I am glad I walked a lot last week. Hope you have a great week!!!Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteThat is great on the beans. They won't go bad, and for extra precautions on just having them in the pantry - yay! You are smart to have such a good supply on hand - and variety. They are great protein and you will never go hungry!
DeleteGreat deal on the produce. I love finding deals like that. It sure pays to take advantage.
We get a few dry days, and after today - it will get warmer for a bit. It sure makes walking enjoyable.
Have a beautiful week.
Long story short. I purchased dried beans all week bc U had accidentally let my supply dwindle to a four months supply. I calculate one serving per day. I ended up, after yesterday’s purchase and the rest of my purchases all week long, with a ten and a half months supply. I also bought large bags of produce for a $1. It rained all night and was in the 80’s last week but 70’s this week. Have a great week! Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteFound your original and published!
DeleteExcellent devotional! "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask Adonai." One of my favorite Scriptures and very simple...ask the Creator of the universe.
ReplyDeleteWe did have some good weather this past week, not counting all the rain. Agree with you...sure better than snow. The sun is shining brightly, which is always a blessing. Our spring bulbs as well as the lilies, Autumn Joy sedum is coming up. I need to do some winter cleanup but may wait a while, just to see if more really cold weather will appear.
Going to do some laundry today and may even hand some on the line.
Enjoy your day!
Yes, it is a glorious day, but a tad chilly. I do love it though.
DeleteI hate to uncover everything quite yet - I am sure there will be more nasty weather. It is wonderful to see things popping up.
Enjoy the fresh air - it will dry the clothes in no time
Have a lovely week.
All of Illinois is in a severe drought so I'm thankful for each rain shower we get. We got up to 80 a couple of days and now it's back in the 60's. Spring see -saw of temperatures.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a nice week.
We were in drought conditions, but ours has dropped. Northern part of the state is still needing moisture. The weather does seem to not be able to make it's mind up!
DeleteHave a great week.
Hopefully the rain stops soon, flooding wouldn't be good.
ReplyDeleteThere has been EXTREME flooding in the southern part of the state and tornadoes in other states - it has been quite the week for weather around here. The flooding down state is just horrific to see. I sure feel for those folks.
DeleteHave a great week and don't over do it - enjoy your last week there.
Have a good one.
The weather has been changeable here. One day mid-week was sunny and really quite warm warm and the next was really cold, with a biting wind. The forecast for the coming week shows a real mix too.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that you commented that you didn't know what bread and butter pudding is. Well, basically it is the same as bread pudding. The bread is cut into thin slices and spread with butter, layered up in a dish with sultanas between the slices and then custard is poured over the top and allowed to soak into the bread. After half an hour or so the top is sprinkled with sugar and nutmeg or cinnamon and then it is baked in the oven.
Another variation is Osborne pudding, which was supposedly Queen Victoria's favourite pudding. The slices are spread with marmalade as well as butter and a tablespoon of orange liqueur or brandy is added to the custard. Nutmeg and sugar are put on top. Naughty, but very nice!
Your weather sounds a bit like ours - changeable!
DeleteThank you for explaining this. I must say I would probably agree with Queen Victoria! That sounds incredible!!!!! Yes naughty but nice. I think you had me at marmalade and kept me with orange liqueur!
Have a super week.
Oooh, thank you for these ideas. They sound wonderful and tasty. Marmalade is my favorite. :)
DeleteMaryB
The daffodils are in bloom here too and are so beautiful as usual. I've been doing with beets what you did with your cucumbers in the pickle brine. I just add canned beets to the pickled beet juice and in a few days they taste just as good. You got some good deals at Kroger. We just got back from there after our trip this morning. It's probably my favorite grocery store with their good deals. I hope you don't get too much rain, sounds like you've already had plenty!
ReplyDeleteOurs aren't blooming yet, but the greens are up! Soon. I always love them - so cheery.
DeleteI wish I liked beets better - that is a good way to use them up.
You can really find some deals at Kroger if you look and use the digital coupons.
I hope the rain lays low for a couple days anyway!
Have a fun week.
Before retiring I budgeted for a vacation each year in retirement. Next week I am going to a more expensive destination overseas than planned. I have done a lot of research to plan free activities once there. To help, for the past 6 months I have hardly been out to anything that requires paying, instead meeting up with friends for walks in the park, getting buses if I had to go anywhere, no clothes buying etc. It has become a way of life now that I will continue happily.
ReplyDeleteHow fun for you. We are frugal today for the things we want to spend on tomorrow. Not shopping and watching our pennies does become habit - for sure.
DeleteI love that you are doing what makes you happy.
Have a lovely week.
We had great melting weather yesterday, and while the morning started off sunny and melting today we are now getting rain. Still too cold for any flowers to appear and according to the weather pundits we will be getting a bit more snow in the later part of next week.
ReplyDeleteYou had a great frugal week.
God bless.
Well at least the melting helps and so will the rain. Rain seems to be cleansing.
DeleteI hope you don't get much snow - you surely must be tired of it.
Have a super week.
Looking at my freezer I see I need to eat it down. My project this week will be working on that each day. I'm not sure what that might consist of- baking maybe, meals maybe. Not sure what's there. If there's anything in there I won't eat, I'll admit my mistake in saving it, toss it & move on. No need to keep it around!
ReplyDelete