Our Food - Our Preferences

 Hello all.  Here we are in the middle of another week.  Our days sure do pass quickly.  I hope you are all doing good.

It is another chilly morning here, in the upper 40's.  This week will be cooler than what normal should be for this time of the year.  We had rain yesterday and last night AND MORE RAIN!!!!  Once it started, it just wouldn't stop.  Just a small lake in the backyard this morning, I thought it would be larger.

Goodness, the choir outside is amazing this morning.  It was almost loud out there, with all the different birds singing.  So many could be distinguished, others just brought up the chorus.  Amazing.

This sure seems to be true, especially when you watch all the commercials.  Truly, I do not see commercials for much that 'should' be considered food.

I prefer home cooking and as many natural ingredients as possible.  I am not a fan of packaged food or restaurant food.  I KNOW this is not for everyone.  Convenience makes many people happy - as they just don't like cooking.  Remember - you do you and I do me.  No problems.

Now that is not to say that I don't buy some occasional 'junk'.  I do like a chip now and then, and I love yeast donuts!  I do try to limit those things, however.

I guess I am wondering - what do you prefer that is NOT homemade vs. what is?  What store bought item do you just love to buy and eat?  I am curious.

There isn't much that I can think of for me.

I love Mexican food.  I could probably eat about every day.  I do prefer my own.

Whether it is tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos - I just think mine have more flavors than restaurant fare.  I can add more spice or take away.  I can add any toppings I want, and surprise, no extra charge!!!!

Stir fry and oriental dishes are also preferred here.  I can add the flavors I prefer and delete the ones I don't like.  There is absolutely no limit to what I can throw together - using things on hand and throwing in leftovers and I can make a fine meal.

It is simple ingredients and I know exactly what is in it.

Pizza - goodness, I like pizza.  I had some pizza when at the birthday party Saturday - and may I say - I was not impressed.  It was flat and lifeless and virtually tasteless.  I want a pizza with substance!  I want a pizza with about everything but the kitchen sink.  A slice or two with a side salad is a meal kind of pizza.  Whether a flat bread, tortilla, Italian bread or a regular crust - it is all good to me.

I just love the options I have - ANYTHING I HAVE ON HAND!  Those are my options!  As little or much as I prefer.  Cost virtually pennies.  

My niece purchased 4 pizzas at the party, and it was almost $120!!!!!!!!!!  That is just insane (they weren't huge either).  Then you had to purchase drinks separately - don't get me started on that.  They also had to buy token cards for kids to play and bring in their own cake.  2 hours cost her about $400.  I will stay home and save my money and my sanity.  The last pizza I ordered years ago and had delivered was over $30. Crazy!  I will eat it just the way I want it, and in comfort.

I did mention I love a good donut.  Now that doesn't happen often - but I do splurge now and then.  I think donuts and brownies are probably my favorite goodies.  Of course, at the holidays there are all the special cookies, candies and goodies that are made.

But then again - I can make them just the way I want.  I know what is in them - and can use natural ingredients if I choose.

INGREDIENTS are my preference.  I do love knowing that whatever I eat is really food, and not things that my grandma wouldn't have had a clue about.  I love the ingredients that I can pronounce and ingredients that I actually know what they are.

There is not much that I can say I prefer store bought over homemade.

I truly do like the flavors of homemade over store bought.  You can make it all taste so good.

I am genuinely interested to hear what store-bought items or restaurant items you LOVE!   It often pays to have pre-made things on hand for emergencies or those special times no one wants to cook.  I would like to know the best things and options, that I could keep here.

What say you??  

Have a super day - smile and be kind.

Learning to Make Do - My Way!

 Hello all, and happy Cinco de Mayo!  Funny how it fell on taco Tuesday as well!  LOL!

I hope you are all well and safe.

It is a cool morning and damp.  We had rain over night, and I heard some thunder a couple times.  We are expecting more rain later on today and tonight.  Things sure are green and growing.  A couple of the peonies started popping open yesterday.  Sunday, I had my first hummingbird of this season!

It is 59* at the moment and the sun is peeking out.  Not going to get a whole lot warmer today.

I have always tried to make do and use things in new ways.  Lately I have had a couple of successes I thought I would share.

I put up my May and summer patriotic door decor and flags.  We have Memorial Day this month and the in a short while it will be July 4th - Independence Day.  So, I have been doing some patriotic decor.

I had purchased a large front door decoration last fall and was trying to figure out how to attach to door.

My door is black wrought iron and the frame on the decor was black as well.  Well, I had nothing black to attach it.

I only had white zip ties long enough to attached and they just glared white!

I attached with them - then I got the permanent marker out and colored the ties!  It worked.  You can see then slightly up close - but not from any distance.  If there is a will there is a way.

My older hummingbird feeder had lost a feeding flower - it fell off and broke when cleaning last fall.  Feeders are not cheap, even simple ones!  I had one for the kitchen window/stoop and I put one on the porch as well.  The birds know where they are every year.  So, for the one on the porch, I improvised.  I didn't want ants or bees getting in it - so I just covered that one feeding port with black electrical tape.  There are 3 other ports to eat from.

You can see on the right side - no flower, but tape.  There are other places to feed, and all is good for another year!  (I like this one because they can land and sit)

After making the t-shirt blankie for my niece, I had a lot of scraps left.  I used nice sections of the fronts and most backs for the blanket - but still had a lot of pieces.  I cut those into squares and will add to my hanky basket.  They would also have made great cleaning rags.  I just couldn't throw away useful material!

I leave dry food out back for the kitties all day. It is under a little table to keep rain off of it.  Well, if you have ever had food out long, you know it attracts ants - no fun for eating.  I tried several methods people had mentioned and none really worked.  I came up with my own.  I put down a foil pie pan, add some water and set their food dish in it.  The food dish is just a bit smaller than the bottom of the pan.  (feeds multiple cats).  Ants do not cross the water!!!!  It works perfectly.  I also have a smaller dish in the drive for other cats, and I do the same with it.  It sits in a dish of water a bit bigger than the feed dish.  I change the water every morning, as it accumulates crumbs and bits.

No ants!

Just a couple ideas on making do.  When you don't want to go out and buy something new or don't want/need to make a trip out to just do a simple task - get creative.

Hope it gives someone incentive to just get a little creative and make do.

Have you done any creative fixes lately?  I just love hearing the things people do to save money and things.

Have a fantastic day!!!!!!

Weekly Wrap Up 5/3

 Hello all and happy May to everyone!  Hard to believe it is already May.  I hope this finds everyone safe and healthy and well.

We have had a couple very chilly mornings - we had a frost advisory, but luckily, we didn't get any here (lots of dew).  I am sure they did up north of here.  We have had cooler days, and it looks like this coming week will be a bit cooler as well.

Took this pic a couple days ago - there are so many more poppies blooming now.  That row behind is all peonies and they are loaded with buds!  I bet they will start popping open this coming week.  There sure are a lot of different types of lilies.

The dandelions and the violets are about done and now there is clover all over.  The tulip poplar tree has started blooming and boy it is messy.  It is one messy tree most of the year - but it is old and big and provides a lot of shade.

My frugal week:

• Raked and cleaned up all under the squirrel feeders early on - placed all the 'falls' out in the woodsy part of the alley for other critters to get
• Did a good 2 weeks' worth of laundry, plus all the furniture throws, bedding and throw rugs.  Used dehumidifier water in laundry 2X - used cold water - and hung most to dry
• Finally finished up my last t-shirt blanket - it is actually a twin size but covered the top of my queen bed.  My niece will deliver to her MIL this coming Friday for her birthday. These were all shirts from vacations for MIL.

• Made a big bowl of pasta and veggie salad using up all kinds of veggies & items from frig
• Made a 1/2 gallon of banana ice cream - used 4 bananas (needed using), can of evap. milk, orange juice and a bit of stevia - tasty treat
• Had 2 funerals to attend and one I didn't get to
• Mowed the yard, front to back
• Had a birthday party for a 5-year-old to attend at Chuckie Cheese!  What a sensory experience!!  It was my first time there
• Did stop and get gas while out one day to use my points before expiring.  Gas at that time was cheaper at Kroger than anywhere by a good .75/gal.  I got .80/gal. additional off with points.  Paid 3.29/gal. after discount.  Yay me!
• Of course, I ran in Kroger (I was there) to look around.  I got 6 indiv. Greek/fruit yogurts for .48 ea., 3 lbs. seedless grapes for 1.50, and 2lbs (8 burgers) Laura's Lean ground beef for 5.91
• Heat off most of the week - a couple mornings needed a cycle.  No AC
• Airing house as much as possible
• Just doing all the normal things and eating from what I have at home

Meals this past week:

Grilled goulash 'burritos' w/extra cheese

Grilled cheese sandwich and pasta/veg salad

Meatball sub and pasta/veg salad

Fish fillets and pasta/veg salad

Cheeseburger and fruit

Loaded baked potato

Pizza at party

SNACKS - frozen yogurt bars, fruit, cheese & crackers and homemade ice cream

There you go - that is my week in a nutshell.  Seemed like I was on the move a lot.  This coming week I need to leave to vote and then I have a lunch scheduled - otherwise I plan on staying put!

How was your week?  What is going on in your area and on your little homestead?

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FYI - Weeks ago - I had sent Linda (PP) an email asking if she was ok.  Then she made her little post about Tommy.  Thursday, I got an answer on the email that simply said "Tommy died.  Thanks for checking".  So, she is still alive (I was worried).  For some reason after I read it - it just disappeared!  I have no idea how that happened.

I hope you all have a great week head and that things are warming up for you and that 'maybe' you can get some outdoor work done or garden things planted.  Stay safe and healthy.

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

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This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms 118:24

Lord we come forth bringing thanks this morning for all our blessings.  It is a beautiful day, and we have been given the gift of life yet again.  No matter what happens in life, I pray we see all the gifts we receive each day and give thanks.  You are always with us, even in our bleakest moments and You lift us and get us through it all.  You give us strength in all things.  Thank You for every little moment.  AMEN

SIMPLE - Means Different Things to Different People

 Hello all.  Hope you are going to enjoy this last day of April.  We have had one of the warmest Aprils in history, and now the temps are to drop!  We will start May in the cool.  The next 7 days or so look to have highs in the 50's and 60's.  This morning it is in the low 40's and chilly outside, but it is bright and sunny.  Very damp from dew out there.

                                                        I love this - I think it says so much!

I know many talk about having a simpler life.  I think for each of us, it means something different.  No, I don't THINK - I know it does.  It sure means something different to me than many others.

I am not knocking the people that do or have the following - it is all a choice, but to me it just means more dependence, not independence.

You don't have to touch a vacuum to have clean floors.  You can have someone shop for you.  Have your shopping excursions delivered.  You can shop in your PJ's sitting on your couch for anything.  Cameras take pictures of just about your every move.  Want fast food or restaurant food - it comes to your door now.  People communicate through text instead of in person.

LOTS of people do these things - but they do come at a cost.  Nothing seems to be free.

I know this "simplifies" many people's lives.  At least they think so.

I personally see it as instant gratification.  Easy access.  No delays.

I don't find that something I want at this point in life - not for me. (maybe someday)

I was raised to look at things as - anticipation is far greater than the realization.  For me that is still true.  Things I have to wait on and think about, and plan all seem to mean more to me.

DOING things myself gives me so much satisfaction.  I will enjoy a good home cooked meal much more than anything I can buy out or have delivered.  Picking out those special items at the grocery store and getting those special deals (I can only get by spying them) means a ton.  A little hard work and planning, means I accomplished it on my own.  Talking to someone in person gives me a feeling of companionship.  If I can grow some of my groceries or get them locally from people like me, I know they are fresh and healthy.

I guess I look at things in a different way - maybe an old-fashioned way.

I think every new skill we learn is an investment in our lives.  It is also an investment in the lives to people that watch us!  They learn new things and see you accomplish things on your own, and it shows them what can be done.

If everything goes to 'hell in a hand basket' - you HAVE skills!  You can do things.  You can succeed.  You can still live a decent life.

I don't see 'simplifying life' as doing less and having more convenience.  I see it as doing the basics myself and having a freedom from what people think 'normal' society does.

I don't want to be a victim of the digital world.  It is everywhere and involved in everything - and I don't like it.

I want to blaze my own trail in life - I want to have self-satisfaction!  I want to be a 'teacher' of old ways to others.

Again, I am not knocking anyone that does the stuff mentioned above - we all make our own choices.  

I am just saying it ISN'T for me.  I go to the beat of a different drummer.

Here is hoping that your May starts out lovely and fresh.  A new month, and a new beginning.

Don't sweat the small stuff - just be happy to have another day.

Blessings to all.

Tips from the Church Ladies!

 Hello to everyone.  I hope this finds you well and safe.  There has been a lot of nasty weather events of late - hope all are safe.  It is a cool and wet morning here.  We are having some light rain, nothing bad (no storms).  Seems this rarely happens anymore, that we get a nice rain and no storms - it usually is an 'event'.  It is going to be a cooler week here.  That is fine - it is spring and weather varies.  Today will be a get things done inside day.  I have plenty to keep me busy.

Today I am going to share some tips that I have read from the "church ladies".  I have this little cookbook from an area church, and they always have the best tips and recipes in them.  Just things that 'normal' people do and use on a daily basis.  I love church cookbooks.

• In a shaker, combine 6 parts salt and 1 part pepper for a quick seasoning.  **You can combine and use whatever you like to use and keep it handy right at the stove
• Next time you need a quick ice pack - grab a bag of frozen veggies from the freezer.  **I keep cold packs that come from ordering my summer sausage in the fall and stick them in the freezer for just in case
• To avoid teary eyes when cutting onions, cut them under cold running water or briefly place them in the freezer before cutting
• Add a few grains of rice to a saltshaker to keep salt free flowing (absorbs any moisture)
• Purchase a coffee grinder and mark it spices - it can be used to grind most spices.  Clean after each use.  **I have 2 (ea. cost a $1 at garage sale) - one is for nuts and mild things, the other is marked spices (like peppers and such)
• Keep bags from store bought bread and buns and use for homemade breads, muffins and rolls
• Unbaked cookie dough can be covered and refrigerated for a day and frozen can be kept in airtight container for up to 9 months.  **I always place some cookie balls in the freezer when baking - to bake at a later time for a treat - can bake just a couple if you desire (when baking something else)
• To make self-rising flour at home, mix 4 cups of flour, 2 tsp. salt and 2 tbsp. baking powder - mix thoroughly and store tightly covered.
• One tbsp. of bulk yeast = on packet of dry yeast
• When baking in a glass pan, reduce the oven temperature by 25*
• Dust cookie cutters with flour to prevent sticking or use powdered sugar **(I like using the powdered sugar)
• Over-ripe bananas can be frozen for baking or using in malts, smoothies or ice cream
• It is easier to slice meat if it is partially frozen
• Adding tomatoes to roasts helps to naturally tenderize the meat.  Tomatoes contain acid that works well to break down meats
• One pound of boneless chicken = approx. 3 cups of cubed meat
• Instant potatoes make a great thickener for soups and stews   **(I always use this)
• The ratio for a vinaigrette is typically 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar
• Chill serving plates to keep salad crisp at the table
• Drop a leaf of lettuce in a pot of soup to absorb grease from the top.  Remove the lettuce and serve
• Use fruit juice like pineapple or orange with a little oil and some honey and maybe a little nutmeg/cinnamon to make a sweet dressing
• To add flavor to a cup of hot tea add a lemon drop or hard mint.  They melt quickly
• If making fresh fruit juice - remember; 1 lemon yields about 1/4 C juice, and 1 orange yields about 1/3 cup   **(don't forget to use those peels for something else as well)
• Cook pasta for salads al dente (slightly chewy to the bite).  This allows the pasta to absorb the dressing without getting mushy

EASY HOMEMADE WHITE CASTLES - sloppy Joe style

1 lb. ground beef'

1 can French onion soup

Brown the ground beef, crumbled.  Drain and then add the soup (add no water) and simmer.  Lightly place the buns on top of mixture to steam quickly.

**Never thought of this before and I will definitely be trying it soon!  Sounds yummy!

**Cheryl's comments

There you go - fun ideas and ways to help out around the kitchen.  Do you have any fun tip to share?  We all look for easy and new ways to do things.

Have a great day!!!!!!

Finance - Keep it Simple

 Hello all!  It is the morning after a powerful storm around here.  Yesterday we had rain, then last night (late again) we had a band of nasty storms go through the state.  It literally was a band that went through the state from north to south - I doubt it missed anyone.  I do not like these nighttime storms.  It is scary.

The sirens went off about 10:30PM - there were some very high winds in places.  Luckily, I again am safe and no damage or problems.  It didn't last very long but is created a mess for many.  I sure hope all are safe.

This morning it is calm, the birds are singing, kitties all fed, picked up a few branches down in the back, and the temps are nice.  

It looks like it will cool later as the week goes on, and they are even talking frost again by the end of the week.  THAT is why we don't plant until after Mother's Day around here!

I bet you have!  Have you ever sat down and figured out how much you have earned in your life?  It is truly amazing to think about.

We neither one ever made a ton of money.  We neither one ever made a lot of money.  Sounds redundant - but I see a 'ton' and a 'lot' as different.  We never made per hour what people make today.  Of course we didn't have the expenses a lot have today.  BUT the point I will make - is that we lived below our means and we worked HARD to pay things off early and we planned for an uncertain future.

We did have a few moments of good fortune that happened out of bad/sad moments.  We put those things to work and used them the best we could.

First, I left a job, that just got to be too much stress.  It was an employee-owned business, and I had worked there long enough that I was vested.  So, when leaving - I did get a payout of stock funds and profit sharing.  THAT is the time we sought a 'financial' guy.  We made good decisions with that money and invested.  So many people that left or got bought out, when the company changed spent every single dime on STUFF - had huge taxes to pay and penalties, and eventually didn't have anything to show for it.

Glen got the opportunity with his job to invest a percentage of pay with a thing like 401K (govt).  He had the max taken from his check and invested.  We hardly noticed any change in pay, as it came out before taxes.  We also saved a minimum of 10% from each check.

We bought a home we could afford.  Either one of us could make the payment without the other.  We worked hard on paying extra principal payments every month.  We did this for several years.

We received a small inheritance from my mom, and we used it to pay off the house.  That was a big investment to us.  We paid it off in 15 years.

We always drove older vehicles.  Neither one of us had ever had a new car.  We promised ourselves a gift WHEN ever we paid the house off.  We bought our first and only new vehicle.  We paid it off in 2 years.

Glen got to a point that he had to quit working due to his physical problems.  He wasn't old enough to get retirement with the city (years of service + age).  Once he got disability he could get his retirement.  Well, anyone that has ever tried to get disability knows it takes time.  Glen truly wanted me to be at home when he had to quit.  So, we had NO real income for well over a year - we lived on savings.  Luckily, we had major things paid in full, and it was just basics, but they did add up.

I did work part time for a while at the last business I worked for, and they really wanted me - so I gave them my pay requirements (outrageous I thought)!  Joke on me, they said yes!!  LOL.  First time/last time I ever made that kind of money.  I also did some side work for a friend's business, taking care of his tax info. a couple days every few months.

Mainly I stayed home and took care of things here.  I was 51 when I quit working and had no retirement for myself.

Once he got approved for disability, we did get retirement and back pay. We did use a bit of that to help pay off the car early and the rest was invested (again the finance guy).

G wanted me to be able to live well and not worry when he was gone.  It worked. I live a comfortable life, but a simple life.  I do get his retirement and I get social security.  I live on, much less each month than I have come in - so I do manage to save every month.  I live on minimal funds, not because I have to, but because I want to.  (I know I am lucky).  I do not know what the future holds, so I want some protection.

*****

Now I tell these things to let you know that lots of small steps can be taken to get you in decent shape.  You may not make a ton of money, but you can still live in a way that pays the bills and saves.  It truly is about choices.  

You can still have fun.  We had fun and did things, but nothing was expensive that we chose.

Yep, crap happens - and sometimes it is stuff you can't control.  That can eat up those funds or create new bills.  Take a big deep breathe - study the situation and come up with a plan to get through it, past it, and get back on track.  YOU CAN DO IT!!!

You may have to make some harder decisions and give up a few 'fun' things for a while - but in the end it will be worth it.  It does take work, but it is soooooo worth it.  

Feeling secure is priceless.

So, if life and bills get you down - make a plan.  Change things up.  Do everything in your power to change the situation in a good way.  It truly is possible with effort.

I know some of you have shared stories in the past on how you got to a 'comfortable' life.  If you want to share something that can help others and encourage them, please do.

Have a beautiful and blessed day.

Weekly Wrap Up 4/26

 Hello all, and welcome to the last Sunday of April!  Can you believe it?  Time is sure flying by.

It is a cooler morning here, but still very nice.  We had a storm fly through on Friday - it got scary for a few minutes.  The sirens went off and the winds just came out of nowhere.  We had rain a couple times on Friday, and we did need it.  Seems every time they predict rain, my area gets nothing.

The grapes are forming bunches on the vines out back, and the raspberries are blooming.  The first of the poppies have opened.  Oh, those big bright orange beauties!

This week I just did what I wanted, when I wanted.  I got in no rush.  I slowly did things and still had a lot of rest time.

My frugal week:

• Had a meeting with my financial guy here at the house - all good
• Made a batch of frozen yogurt/fruit bars 
• Made a pot of soup - used a pack of long grain &wild rice soup mix (gift) - but used pork broth (freezer) instead of water, and less than it called for.  Added 4 C beans (freezer) and chopped ham (freezer).  Goodness it was good, some of the best soup I have made in ages.  Ate on it and froze 2 containers for later
• Trimmed the back forsythia bushes (4) - they sure got wild looking quickly.  Looks neat now
• Mowed and trimmed the entire yard
• I got the rain barrels out and set up
• Pulled weeds in areas hard to reach with weed whacker
• Paid everything I had in house for early May, including property taxes
• Cooked up a pound of sausage in patties and froze most of them for easy use
• NO groceries
• Polished the kitchen cabinets
• Walked, napped and porch set - off and on
• Aired the house a lot this week.  No heat or AC (heat on last Sunday night only)
• Just doing all the normal stuff

Meals this past week:

Shredded pork (freezer) over fries w/cheese and slaw

Wild rice/bean/ham soup

Soup again

Chicken breast and broccoli salad

Cheese spread w/crackers and broccoli salad

Sausage/egg sandwich and salad

Goulash (made w/broc. added)

SNACKS - yogurt bars, peanut butter on toast, pb & apple, fruit

Overall, a pretty good week.  Kept busy, but not overly busy.  Seems there is always so much to be done, but I am at the point in life - if it gets done, great - if not, well it wasn't that important.

How was your week?  Did you get any good deals?  Did you get any planting done? (still waiting here)

Look forward to hearing from each of you.  I do believe we all inspire each other, and that is pretty cool.

Stay super safe and healthy this week.  Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

Don't stress the small stuff.

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I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!  Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!

Psalms 27:13-14

Dear Lord, we thank You for all the blessings we received this week.  Help us each have courage, faith and strength to face all that is put before us.  Even when we don't see an answer, we know You are working on our hearts and helping us to grow our faith stronger.  Waiting isn't a sign of disapproval from You, it is a growing time for us.

Thank You for being with us at all times, and give us patience in all things, as they happen in Your time.

AMEN