Bountiful Pantry and Fun Goodies and Gifts

 Hello all.  Getting a little later start this morning - last night was pretty much a no sleep kind of night.  I need to keep busy today and not nap - so I can sleep good tonight!  I sure hope you are well and safe this Thursday.

It was 48*F when I got up this morning - going to a big high of 49* today!  LOL

Last evening a big old storm blew in, and we had lots of really hard rain, hail, thunderstorms, and wind.  Luckily the kitties had their dinner over, and I had just come in.  Bits hid - he does not like the noises anymore!

Boy oh boy, are there some leaves down this morning!  UGH.  Had it looking decent last evening - well, now the ground is covered more than ever.  I will wait a few days on these - as we have more windy days ahead.

I had to laugh this morning when feeding the cats.  They were all waiting, then after all the yelling at me, they ate, and most walked across the sidewalk and climbed back into the doghouse.  They are experiencing cold and weather they aren't used to!  Going back to bed sounds good!

Indeed - we are so fortunate.  There is someone somewhere that would think each and every one of us is rich.  

I have to show something before I get started - it makes me smile and tastes so good still.

I took this picture yesterday!  I have at least that many more (prob. more) still ripening!  What a tasty blessing.

I have found some new recipes that I am going to make for the holidays this year.  I have one that will be made for my gift baskets, and others for yummies when family is around.

Yep, this is happening along with the grape jelly.  It sounds so darn yummy and very easy to make.  No pectin needed, and less sugar than my jelly recipes.  I think this will be a hit with the family.

I always make cookies, brownies, and cinnamon rolls when the family comes for Christmas - this year I am doing a new cookie and a different presentation of the rolls.

Cinnamon rolls - place in a pattern of a tree before baking.  You can use homemade rolls or canned.

Drizzle with your icing and I think I may add something else.  Maybe sprinkles or cherry pieces here and there just to brighten it up.  How fun?!!

Definitely doing these as well - and kind of making my own style of fig "newtons".  I will be using fig jam - I think this will be so tasty.  Super easy and you could use any kind of jam or preserves that you have.

Now here is a fun idea for breakfast, coffee, brunch or just a dessert.

I am a huge fan of jelly filled donuts - by far my favorites.  I also like hot biscuits (scones) and jelly.  I think this is the best of both worlds.  Make jelly filled donuts from biscuits!!!!!

You can make your own biscuits from scratch as well - if you choose.  Any type of jelly you have or like.

Oh my goodness, my mouth waters thinking about them!

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Now is the time to be watching for deals here in the U.S. with the Thanksgiving sales starting up.  There are many stores that are having dinner deals that can be purchased.  Like entire meal ingredients for the family for around $25 or $35. (feeds several)

I am starting to see local stores advertising turkeys cheaply.  Lowest I have seen so far is .48/lb.  That is cheap meat!!!!  You can't even think about buying cold cuts for that price.  It truly pays to buy an extra or 2 for eating during the next year.

Sweet potatoes, potatoes, cranberries, baking goods, celery, turkeys, breads and rolls, and even a lot of canned or frozen items will be on sale.  NOW is the time to stock up and prepare for the colder months ahead.

Have you found any great deals on turkey day foods yet?  The day is closer than we want to think about!

Let's get creative and fun with the holidays this year.

Have a wonderful day ahead.

Daily gratitude:  I am so thankful for the joy and happiness my sweet fur babies give me.  Thankful they are healthy and happy.  Life would be so boring without them all.  All God's creatures!!!!!

Winter - It is a Coming!

 Hello all.  Glad you are here and hope you are all well.  It is in the mid 40's this morning, going to get to upper 60's again.  Yesterday was such a beautiful day, and I did get many little outdoor projects done.  Rain comes in tonight, and then temps are supposed to drop.  It looks to be a much colder end to the week.  It was bound to happen!  We get better temps again next week but get a taste of the chill for a few days anyway.

For those at least in the states, remember that many things will be closed today in honor of Veteran's Day.  Most state and federal offices, mail, most banks, etc.  Plan your day accordingly.

Well here in the northern hemisphere, winter will soon be upon us, if it isn't already.  I know many of you gals north of me have seen snow and very cold temps already.

Have you prepared yourself and your home?

Make sure that furnace is working.  Do you have wood, pellets, etc. if needed?

Check that furnace filter and make sure you have a couple extras around.

Hoses off 

Check your smoke detector batteries

Good seals around your windows and doors

Maybe a draft dodger for the door bottom (you can roll up an old towel)

Got your socks, boots, and coats and gloves at the ready?

If you keep batteries for your rechargeable tools in the garage - bring those batteries inside (if garage isn't heated) - freezing does affect the life of those batteries

All fluids good in the car - also have your scraper in the car.  I keep a scraper in the house as well, that way I can go out and scrape the windows, without having to try to get in the car and deal with snow in the winter.

Do you have plenty of pantry and freezer goods on hand?  If weather gets bad - you may need extra supplies, especially if you live more rural

Pet supplies (food) - ample bedding and housing for any outdoor animals

Good idea to have a small heater or two - just in case something happens to the furnace and you have to wait for service.

Snow shovel and ice melt if needed

I know it is just the beginning of the 'cold' season - but everyone needs to get prepared and have things in order ahead of time.  You don't want a big weather event to happen, and not be prepared.

Now is the time to get things in order.

Just yesterday I noticed that my digital thermostat was kind of sluggish - so I changed the battery in it, and it is much better now!

I wish you each a beautiful day.

Be kind and smile!

Daily gratitude:  I am so very thankful for all Veterans - past and present and for all the sacrifices they have made, so that we can stay free.  Thankful for their families too, as they sacrifice as well. 

Surprising Finds & Changing Things Up (FREE)

 Howdy all.  Thanks for stopping by to read and chat.  Hope everyone is doing well today.

It is in the middle 40's this morning, going into the 60's.  I can handle that just fine.  It is going to get pretty darn cold come the end of the week, at least for a couple days.  Time to get the water bowls ready to plug in!

You know I have been sorting and cleaning and decluttering years' worth of things in the basement - oh my!  I am finding all kinds of things I forgot about or have misplaced or just stored away - out of sight out of mind.  I will continue to show things as I find more.

Today will be a few pics - notice pricing on some of these things!

Do they even still make these?  Not sure where they were purchased, I can't put my finger on that price tag.  But I do know it is CHEAP!  It is a box full!  They seem fine.

I must have gotten these at a yard sale.  There is a complete box.  I have never used liners in the crockpot before - which is why I probably bought these.  Have you used them before?

I know these were cheap = so an inexpensive way to try them.

Both of these items were tucked away in a cabinet down in the basement for "safe keeping"!!  LOL!  I guess they were safe - as I have no memory of buying them.

Now I need to utilize them!

I have wondered about garden seeds if things ever went to hell in a hand cart in the world.  Well, I found a bunch of those as well.  I know they are old and many may not germinate - but some would.  Years ago, I planted Luffa seeds that my daddy had saved from more than 30 years prior and they came up!

I knew I had saved seeds, and I knew they were down there somewhere and I found them!!

                     Look at the prices of these - boy, it would be nice if seeds were still that cheap

There is a little bit of everything I could want.

Notice the old baby wipe or wet wipe container - that is a great use for those when empty.  They hold seed packets and keep them dry!

These were the last little banana peppers I found hiding in the garden before the weekend.  You can see next to my reading glasses that they are small.  But hey, they are still edible, and I can use them in something.  Waste not............

I have been cleaning upstairs as well.  Moving things around a little, although I can't move much, things are pretty much where they are.  I can move smaller things around and make it feel a little different.  I have 2 Rubbermaid drawer sets, one on each side of my stove.  The drawers are see through, so for years I had black poster board inside them, so you couldn't see through them.  My appliances are all white trimmed in black, so that worked.  I decided to change it up the other day.  I also have Coca Cola items in the kitchen, so there is some red as well.

So, here you have the updated version.  These give me a lot of extra storage, but not something you want to view.  The box on top (old tennis shoe box) - holds my little 4 x 6 picture album books that hold recipes.  I have a few recipes that have been pulled out that need refiling, as well.  I thought it prettied it up a bit.  I am thinking about getting a red rug for in front of the sink - to change up the look.  It makes me smile.  Sometimes we need to do something different and unpredictable just to make ourselves smile a little.

I just used red printer paper that I had on hand.  Works perfectly.

I am having fun finding things that I have put out of sight for long.  It is a lot of work going through cabinets, boxes and sorting and cleaning - but these little surprises make it more fun!

So, I continue of my journey of decluttering, and I will show you fun new finds.  

Ok, this could be really embarrassing, to have so many things tucked away that have been forgotten.  Yes, it could!  It kind of is - but now found again, they will be used or donated to bless someone else.

It is amazing how many things can be hidden away in such a small house, but it is the basement, and those seem to be catch-alls.

I am finding things to use, and redecorating a little and all for free.  That is my kind of stuff!

Have you ever found useful items that you forgot about?

Could you also be called a 'lightweight' hoarder??  LOL!!!!  (my new name for myself)

I hope you all have a sunshine kind of day! 

Daily gratitude:  I am so thankful for my friends and my family, and for my ancestors from the past.  I know have many good traits that came from them.

Weekly Wrap Up 11/8

 Hello to all and welcome to the 'corner'.  Hoping this is finding all well and safe.  I sure do worry about you all, when I don't hear something from you now and then.  Check in if you can!  We have some missing regulars - it worries me.

It is 34*F this morning and frosty - well, it finally happened here!  This is the coldest we have had in months!  The sun is out now and it looks pretty!

The sunrise was absolutely beautiful this morning.  The pinks were really something.  I always feel kind of sorry for folks who are still in bed, when the sunrise happens - it is just the most wonderful way to start a day.  God saying good morning.

My frugal week:

• Picked 14 more smaller green tomatoes hiding under the plants - that's it now
• Cleaned up my paperwork area - so needed
• Made whipped Jello
• Cleaned out the storm drain again, as we were expecting rain - it was packed with leaves and gunk.  It always amazes me that no one else will bother to clear it
• Did more basement cleaning and decluttering - keep finding things I forgot about!
• I went out on Tuesday to vote, then to the bank, then to the feed store, and then to WM - as I needed a few items I can't get any other place close by (new undies and bra).  I keep wondering why undies come in packs of 6 - are we supposed to go commando 1 day??  LOL
• Laundry cold, and hung to dry
• I have turned on the furnace the past 2 mornings to take the chill off :(
• One of the back bushes has gotten mal-formed over the past couple years - and to adjust in summer, makes the plant look ugly - so I fixed it and trimmed that side up.  Figure it can look bad over the winter.  Of course more leaves raked
• Used leftover broc./rice to add to other ingredients to make a small chowder (ate & froze some)
• Last evening I went out to feed the cats, and I found and nice handful of little banana peppers that I picked before frost - they are little but are still edible
• Using what I have and eating or freezing all leftovers

Meals this past week:

Chicken strips and tom, cuke, onion salad

Omelet, toast and sliced tomatoes

Grilled ham and cheese sandwich, fresh veggies w/ranch

Broccoli/cheese rice, smoked sausage, tomatoes

Veggie chowder

Tenderloin sandwich and salad

Chicken/mashed potato bowl

SNACKS - Jello, fruit in some form

I did chill a bit again this week.  I really need to get busy and get my list together for Christmas, and need to make my jelly for baskets.  Need to do some sewing as well.  It will be here before you know it.

I am still adjusting to the time change things.  I hate it.  I get up earlier, because my clock and those of the cats didn't change - and it gets dark now at 6PM - goodness, the days just seem to drag by.  I guess I need to find more things to occupy my time! (I have plenty to do)

How was your week?  Any deals this week?  Have you started getting ready for Christmas yet?  Decorated? I know many have.

Check in and let us know you are ok!!!!  I wish you all a great week ahead.

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

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I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all thy wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and exult in thee, I will sing praise to thy name, O Most High.

Psalms 9:1-2

Lord, thank You for all the many blessings we each receive every day.  Thank You for health and safety.  Please continue to hold those close, that need Your comforting and love.  Many may be suffering with illness, grief, sorrow, financial woes or job loss, so please help each one to see the light that will come, through trusting in You.  Your healing and love can change life.  May we all go forward this week with a grateful heart.  AMEN

My daily thankful:  I am so very thankful for the beauty of nature that God gives us each day.

More Yummies From the Pantry!

 Hello to all my lovely friends.  Glad to have you here, and so happy to be up and moving this morning - God has given me another morning!  Hope all are doing well.

Yesterday was a wet and gloomy day - much of the day.  We did get a few shots of sunshine, but pretty cloudy.  Today should be dry and cooler - in the upper 60's.  I think it is about 56* right now.

So far my house has stayed in the lower 70's - even when I have had windows open.  No heat as of yet!

If I feel chilly, I just put on something else - another layer.

I thought I would share a couple more ideas for using things we pretty much all have around the house, and in the pantry to make some yummy goodies.  It is nice just getting a bit creative and using what we have.  It sure can save a trip out and well, it does save dollars!

I had a sweet craving the other day - but didn't want to be too bad!  I sliced a cold apple and topped with a little "Magic Shell" ice cream topping I had.  The apples were cold, but it didn't seem to be setting quite right, so I stuck the plate of apples in the freezer for about 4-5 minutes and wahla - chocolate apples!  It was a tasty snack - mostly healthy and a bit of sweet.  You could even throw on a bit of salt.

If you don't have Magic Shell - just use a bit of chocolate syrup - it may be a bit messier, but it will still be tasty!  Use a fork!!!! Or you can just dip pieces!  

Chocolate and apples are so tasty together!

The next time you bake cookies - like chocolate chip or M & M, or peanut butter, etc. make them in a pan and not in round cookie form!  I do this often.  Use a baking pan with sides, we used to always call the pans jellyroll pans.  Place your batter and bake.  You can cut cookies into shapes or as small or large as you wish.  My family does this a lot on birthdays and decorates for a birthday cookie!

I like this idea - spread your batter, top with mini pretzels for each cookie you want - bake.  Cut so each cookie has a pretzel on top.  Sweet and salty - yum!

Ok, now that I have mentioned jellyroll - that sounds good too!!!  I haven't had one in years!

Mmmmmm - I have made similar recipes before - but this sounds so easy.  I have topped chili with cornbread mix and baked before.  This is things most everyone has hanging out in the kitchen - and will make a nice dinner for the family.  Add a salad or a side - yum.  Great way of stretching limited ingredients.

I am for sure trying this soon!  No knead bread!!!!  So easy and it sounds like it would be wonderful - it sure looks pretty.  I have everything here to do this.  It really doesn't get much easier for homemade bread!

Ok, just a little thinking outside the box again.  Hope this maybe gives someone an idea - or saves a trip to the store.  It is always smart to find new ways to use what we have.

I hope you all have a wonderful day, and that you are doing well.

SMILE and be cheerful.

My daily thankful:  I am very thankful to have a home - a roof over my head.  Warmth and safety.  Many don't.

"Vintage" Fun - and Learning Something New

 Hello all - hope this finds you all well.  I have missed seeing some of our regulars again lately.  I sure hope they check in soon. 

It is a wet morning here, which is much needed.  66*F this morning.  Looks to be going to cool down some after today, then back up next week.  Yesterday was absolutely beautiful.  It was a great day to be outside.  I had my windows open all day yesterday.

I have seen all the reports of the rains other areas are getting and it is horrid.  I have seen reports from homes washing away in CO, news from AZ flooding, and now FL - I saw a FB friend post yesterday that her house, yard, stables and everything is flooded (in FL) and that they were trying to help their animals.  It is all so very sad.  I hope none of you are experiencing any problems.  Prayers for all involved.

I came across these little charts of vintage kitchen phrases and measures and thought they were so fun.  I have heard and even said many - but there are some new ones even to me.

click on pic to enlarge for easier reading

There are some new ones on this chart for sure.  Have you heard of all of them?

Now I have heard of smidgen, pinch and dash - but never of hogshead, firkin or gill!!!  There are some funny ones to me.  Maybe some are foreign, I am not sure - but I like seeing these things.

Yes daddy - I learned something today!!!!!

Now this was listed as things our Grannies and Mommas always did to watch their dollars - they said no one does these anymore.  I do!!!

#6 - not really since it is just me.  But I do buy extra when they deal is right.

#27 - nope.  I keep my computer, and tv's plugged in.  Small appliances I do unplug unless needed

#29 - I am not the best at this.  Not that I buy a lot - but I don't always follow this rule

#4 - don't drink coffee (can be a huge savings from what I hear)

I pretty much do or have done the rest at some point.

I don't see it as old fashioned, just good old common sense.

What say you?  Are these all known to you?

I find things like this just fun, and they make you wonder where they came up with the phrases or words!

Wishing you all a super day.

Go out and chat, smile and be kind.

My daily thankful:  I am so thankful for my Lord and Savior and my faith, both sustain me.  I am thankful to know He carries me and holds me sweetly and lovingly.

Season of Giving

 Hello to all of you.  Thank you for stopping by and hoping you are all well and safe.

It is 62* outside early this morning and going into the 70's.  Looks to be the best day of the week - but not going to sneeze at any of them.  We are supposed to get rain tomorrow, which we truly do need.  I hope all of you out west are missing the crazy floods that are happening.  So very sad.

It seems that we tend to call this all the season of giving.  Shouldn't that be everyday all year long?  I think it should.  But I do realize that we all do a little more this time of the year.  Not sure if it is the thoughts of children not having a good season, if it is because it is cold, or if it is a spiritual thing.  Whatever it is - it is good.

I tend to call this the season of G's!  Giving, gratitude, Grateful, Goodness, God

Whether we provide a meal for someone, (or many), send an anonymous gift, give a toy or coat for a child, smile more often, give a helping hand, or just give a kind and thoughtful word to a stranger - may we all DO a bit more.

This can be a very bad time of the year for many.  Many are depressed and sad this time of the year - whether from life happenings or from S.A.D. disorder.  Whatever reason - maybe just a kind word or a smile might help.

Others are in their element this season.  Cooking, baking, gifting, decorating, partying, etc.

I truly hope that we can all have a good season and that we can all OPEN our hearts in some way to help another - it doesn't have to be with money or cost a thing.

Lift others up!  It will lift you as well.  Keep busy whether it is tidying your home or volunteering or visiting or socializing or just being a good neighbor.

Be grateful and show gratitude for all the things that happen daily - big or small.  A home, food, a place to lay your head, a life well lived, the giggle of a child, memories, pictures, snuggles, sunshine, the colors of fall (or spring), our senses, health, each day, a breeze, a job.....................

I wish you all a wonderful week and day.

Be what you want to see!!!!!!!  

SMILE

My daily thankful:  I am so thankful for each person that comes and visits here, and for all the people I now call friends - even though we have never met.