A Bit of This and That - Sharing Ideas

 Hello to all this Thursday.  Here we are at the halfway mark of the month already.  It just doesn't seem possible.  It is cold this morning and breezy.  It is 18*F.  It is amazing what a difference a day or two can make around here - a couple days ago, I was outside doing some yardwork!  NOT today!

I will stay in and put the finishing cleaning touches on the house and then start my baking and cooking tomorrow for my weekend gathering.

Yesterday talking about old fashioned ways and recipes - this was mom's cookbook.  So many lovely notes handwritten inside and great suggestions to tweak a recipe.  As you can tell, it is more than well used and is taped together on the outside.

Her rolling pin, and both the roller and board press for Springerle cookies.  I use all of these, and I swear they just make things taste better!

Lots of tips and ideas today - just ways to make our kitchens work better for us and our pantries always feel full.

You can make your own condensed milk - no need to make a special run to the store to get more.  Just using what you have on hand!!!

I am a gravy fiend!!!  I just love it; it makes everything taste better!  So many I know, say 'I can't make gravy'.  Not sure why - it is so easy to make.  There are many versions out there, and you can flavor with about anything.  Just takes a little patience!

Lots of us cook for one or two and often times recipes make a lot.  Here is a good chart on measurements cut in half!
 No need to make a ton - and waste ingredients or food.  Just make the recipe smaller.

I know I posted this before - but a couple asked for it and wondered what I was talking about.  It is SOOOOOO good!!!!  You want to zip it up some?  Add a few dashes of hot sauce.  I used white vinegar when I made mine and regular paprika.  This is served in many restaurants now and can be purchased at grocery stores.

Blend all of this until smooth and bottle and refrigerate.

Great with fries, onion rings, over roasted or fried veggies, on eggs, sandwiches, etc.

I always have this on hand - have used it for years.  Sure, you can make a faux buttermilk using vinegar and milk - but this is so easy too.  It lasts for ages and ages, and I don't have to remember to have vinegar on hand (I usually do - but...)

I always mix up some when making biscuits or pancakes or waffles - just adds a bit more flavor and tastes special.

There you go - my pantry saving tips for today!

There isn't much that you can't make a homemade version of.  Just try and experiment a little - if at first you don't succeed - try again!

Have a wonderful day and say thanks for all blessings.

Old Fashioned and Simple

 Hello to all this midweek.  Hope you are all safe and healthy, and the same for your loved ones.

It is a gloomy looking morning here.  It is in the 40's, but those temps will be slipping as the day goes on.  The wind is supposed to come back as well.  Yesterday was terribly windy, but it was sunny and warmer, if you ignored the wind!  Heck I even worked outside a bit.

Yep, that is me.  I do have tons of grandma's cast iron (a true blessing), and lots of mom's handwritten recipe cards.  

It gives me such joy when some of the younger ones in the family, want grandma's and my recipes.  When they ask HOW to do things and want to kind of go back a little in time with their ways.

Today is going to be simple - just a few pics of some of the easy meals of late.  I know we all get stuck with meal plans at times - so it always nice to get new ideas, and seeing pics helps me a lot.

You know I like simple and easy meals - I like reusing leftovers and using what I have on hand.

Seriously, I am just a simple girl - but I love to eat!  Some things may sound strange to others, but they sure taste good to me.

Here is the grilled cheese sandwich on multi-grain bread - with a nice spoonful of leftover taco meat added.  Grilled on both sides and just plain yummy!  I had this with a salad.  Easy, tasty, using up things and cost just pennies. (bread was free)

Pizza Pasta - use whatever pasta you have - add some sauce and whatever pizza toppings you like or have.  Top with mozzarella cheese (or whatever you have/like) - and you have a super easy dish that requires NO oven and tastes just like pizza (a great skillet meal).  I will bet 100% that kiddos would just love this.

Tortillas cost just pennies - filled with leftover rice and beans, added lots of shredded cheese and some salsa - rolled and grilled. Served with sour cream.  Very tasty and filling.  You could also have one with maybe refried beans or salad or even a taco.  Just use what you have and use your imagination.

Made an omelet with egg, cheese and some leftover seasoned rice.  Laid it in a tortilla (instead of using toast).  I didn't pick it up to eat, but the tortilla did add something.  I used a little Yum-Yum sauce on the omelet as well.  Cooked sausage from freezer - reheated.  This was a very tasty meals and it was pretty healthy as well.

The cheesy potato soup - used older potatoes and made a basic soup - added a can of Nacho cheese soup for the zippy cheese taste - and I cut up some jalapeno summer sausage.  You could use ham, smoked sausage or no meat - whatever you have.  Pennies and it provided me two big meals that week, and put back 2 bowls in freezer for future meals.  Just using up things that needed to be used soon.

Lastly, beef and broccoli over rice.  I had some beef pieces in the freezer (you could use canned) and a little fresh broccoli - made a simple brown gravy (using some powdered mix I have) and served over rice.  This was delish and actually felt like fine dining to me.  Kind of reminded me of a meal that mom would have served!

All meals I make for the most part, really take very little time to make.  I am all about less than 30 minutes in the kitchen.  

Now this weekend I will be utilizing the crockpots to make soup and pulled pork for company that is coming.  Those take time to do - but the crockpot really helps make life easier.

I do things very simply, and I stick with very basic and sometimes old-fashioned meals.

Hope this gives you some ideas - I am a visual person, and figure others may be as well.

You can make some wonderful meals with simple ingredients and little money - it just takes a little creative licensing!!!!!

Have a super day and SMILE - it looks pretty!

Be You - It Is ENOUGH!

Howdy to all.  Hope this is starting out to be a good day for everyone.  It is chilly here, but there were pretty colors in the sky this morning, and a tiny sliver of moon to be seen.  The kitties were all hungry and are now playing and 'learning' to hunt.  It is so cute to watch. The sun is shining!

We will have another 50*+ day today - then by tomorrow afternoon things will change.  So, this girl is going to enjoy the nice day all that I can.

Last evening the western sky looked to be on fire!  This was looking out my living room window.  Isn't that something?  The picture really doesn't do the colors justice.  I am such a sucker for sunrises and sunsets - the painting of the heavens by God.

I have been reading many blogs and FB posts and seeing Vlogs, where people feel like they are supposed to keep up with everyone else.  They think they are supposed to do ALL the stuff others do and have what others have.  It is wearing them down.  NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!

You do NOT have to keep up with anyone.  You are an individual, and you make your own choices.

I like to think this way.  Here we are in our neighborhoods, in our towns in our states - in this big old country (or where you live).  We are a part of this earth; thus we are part of the universe.  That is pretty amazing to me - I would say that makes each of us pretty unique.  You are important, and your thoughts and ways are important.  God made you, just like He made everything else this world, that is pretty special in my book.  The world needed one of you!  Pretty cool.

You may have more than others; you may have a lot less.  Be proud of whatever you do have and of what you do.  Your achievements are that you are here today. Be proud of every lesson learned, every scar you have and every step you take.  All of that makes you unique!!!!

Live YOUR best life!  That doesn't have to mean having lots of money, or having children, or having a fancy career, or having it all.  It means living the life that makes you HAPPY!  It's YOU!

You have managed to make it through every year up to now!  That is big.  You maybe just hung on by a string and maybe you just barely made it through these past years - but you did.  You have more strength than you think you do.  We can do and be and live a nice quiet life and be tremendously happy!  

I don't need/have fancy things, I don't need to be on the go all the time, I don't need to live up to others' expectations, I don't need all the noise!  I just need my sweet little life, doing my thing and I can be very content and happy.

YOU CAN TOO!

It doesn't mean that you just stop - progress is always a good thing.  We all make progress in our own way and time with all kinds of things.  Just remember progress does NOT mean perfection!

It means being your best you, it means being happy, it means being kind, it means just living your best life.

You got this!  Have a great 2026.

Have a wonderful and blessed day.

Weekly Wrap Up 1/11

 Happy Sunday to all.  Hope this finds everyone well and safe.

It is a very chilly (cold) morning.  I do believe we are about to get whiplash from the huge roller coaster of weather we have been having!!  It has been a crazy winter so far.  Ups and downs - and not just little ones.  By the way - Canada you can have your cold back!!  They say the air we are getting now is coming in from the north, not a fan.  Yesterday they predicted rain - we just had drizzles here.  Snow was predicted overnight - I wouldn't even call it a dusting.  I see a lot of big old flakes coming down right now.  A LOT!  It didn't last either!  Considering the changes we keep seeing, it truly hasn't been bad so far.

This week has been kind of quiet for me.  I am mainly just doing things around the house and trying to use what I have and cooking some.

I think winter has just set in for my mind, and I have been doing some resting and chilling out. Catching up on some reading and TV watching.

My frugal week:

• Made half dozen hard boiled eggs for snacks
• I did run out one day to get some extra cat food to have on hand. I also got some carrots, lettuce and cukes.
• While out I ran into the thrift store and looked around.  I got a brand new in package queen set of sheets for $5 (Target brand)!!!  I also got a free loaf of fancy bread
• I made potato soup one day - using up some older potatoes, added a can Nacho cheese soup and cut up some jalapeno summer sausage in it.  Dang it was good.
• Froze 2 containers of soup and some of the dump cake I made the week before
• Changed out the door decor and the yard flag from Christmas
• I actually got to air the house a little a couple of afternoons and turn the heat off for a good while
• Been doing some deep cleaning - going a room at a time
• Pulled out some cooked turkey to use in a couple meals
• Got to talk with a couple far away friends this week - loved it
• Using what I have on hand, staying home, making a few plans for things I will accomplish after all the family visits are done next week - just being mindful of what I have

Meals this past week:

l/o pizza pasta, l/o black eyed peas and a shredded cabbage salad

Tangy cheesy potato soup and crackers

Soup and crackers again

Hard shell tacos

Grilled cheese and added the l/o taco meat to it! (messy but so good) and salad

Turkey/ham/veggie wrap

Cheesy mac w/chopped turkey and peas added

SNACKS - hard boiled eggs, apples, summer sausage, cheese

There you have - pretty quiet.  Bitsy loved getting a little fresh air from the windows this week.  I still have momma and kitties hanging out - and Licorice and 2 other neighbor cats - oh my!  I swear there has to be a sign somewhere!!  But you know me, I can't say no to kitties.

I will be getting things ready for when the kids come up next Sunday.  I do believe I have everything I need to make my menu I have planned - may need to get some slider buns - but that is it.

How was your week?  Are you chilling out and taking a breather from the hectic holidays or are you doing a lot?  Did you get any deals this week?  How is your weather?

I hope you all have a blessed week ahead.  Stay healthy, safe and warm.  Prayers of healing for all those in need.

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

***************************

Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Thank You Lord for this new day and for the guidance in all we do.  Thank You for giving us peace in our hearts and help us to spread that peace and calm in all we do, with love, actions and kind words.  Give us strength this week to face any challenges we meet and help us to know that You are always with us.

AMEN

Beans, Peas and Pasta .....oh my!

 Hello all.  Hope this finds you all well this morning.  It is low 40's here.  We did have some pretty color in the sky as the sun rose.  Today will get warm again, then come Sunday we go back to winter for a bit.  Hey, it is 10 weeks until Spring - we will manage.

I thought I would talk about some things today that I have an abundance of.  Dry beans, peas and pasta - I have it all.

I have all kinds of dried beans and such - split peas, lentils, black beans, red, navy, baby lima, pinto, and even fava - barley as well.  

Pasta - well there is about every type and size on hand here.  All shapes and sizes and even flavored and veggie pasta.

I think if worse came to worse - with the dried beans (protein) and the pasta (carbs) and fiber with both - I could live for ages and not be hungry.  Of course, one needs other things to add to those and trust me I have it, with the pantry and freezer.

These are items that are so inexpensive to buy.  I often find them on clearance or super sale and kept dry - they last for ages.  I try to keep most of my beans and pasta in glass jars (or at least large heavy plastic ones).  I add bay leaf to every jar - to help repel any insects (it works).

It is truly coming up with ways to use them all.  

I know lots of people add lentils to ground meat or just to recipes to replace or stretch ground meat.  I like to add red or black beans to my taco meat, to add more protein and to extend a smaller amount of meat.

You can add an egg to pasta and maybe a bit of dry binder (or cheese) if you wish - and place on a pizza pan and use as a crust.  I love baked spaghetti - lasagna, etc.  Now also remember that if you don't have lasagna noodles - no problem!  Add a layer of whatever pasta you have instead of the large noodles and make lasagna just the same.

I like beans of all sorts and I am lucky that they give me no problems to eat.  I add beans to lots of things.

Click on pic to enlarge

There are just so many uses for both of these things.  Salads (for both), soups, casseroles, skillet dinners, beans can be mashed and made into refried, pasta can be added to cooked eggs for a breakfast (as can beans), there is just no end to these cheap and simple ingredients.

Add meat (if you choose), tomato products, cheese, any kinds of other veggies, etc. and you can have a huge assortment of meals.

Just a couple basic things, can transform other ingredients and you will never be hungry!

Rice is the same for me as well - I have lots and lots of that and use it as a great extender in meals as well.

So that is my idea today for inexpensive and multi-versatile ingredients.

Do you have any special way of using either to transform other ingredients?

I will try to show how various simple ingredients can be transformed over the next few weeks.

Have a lovely day - stay warm and dry and safe.

Count every single blessing - you may be amazed.

Gifts That Over Time Could Save Much

 Hello all - it is 40* this morning - going to 50's.  Hopefully sunny later in the day.  Those gloomy and cloudy days seems to sure change a mood.

I have noticed a wee bit more daylight - I especially notice in the evening hours.  Wee amounts add up.

Today I want to share some lovely gifts I have received over the past few years that we should all think about getting, either for ourselves or for others.  They could save dollars, but most could actually save lives!!  Can't give a better gift than that.

I have a nephew that worries about his aunty a lot.  He worries about all the family, but he really keeps track of me.  He and G were close as could be (2 peas in a pod) and now he just wants to take care of me!!

This year was the LifeVac - it is used on choking victims to help move the hazard.  You can use it on yourself as well as others.  Looks very easy to use.

Most definitely could save a life.

I got a fire blanket and easy to use fire extinguishers last year.  The blanket stays on a shelf behind the stove.  I got these extinguishers that I have by the stove, and by the furnace and water heater. (both good for car as well).

A weather radio is always a handy thing to have on hand.  Uses batteries or hand crank and during inclement weather, can keep you alerted to what may be coming, so you can take additional shelter.

This is a definite $$ saver - freezer thermostat.  It alerts you if the freezer reaches a certain temp - meaning the freezer is heating up.  Gives you time to move your food stuffs to another location instead of having to throw them away.  My big freezer is in the basement, and I used to have to go down every day JUST to check it.  Now I will be alerted.

Now I know this guy is a HUGE bargain shopper, and he can find a deal like no other.  He makes me SO proud!!!!  He gets these kinds of things for all his close family.  I just have to careful not to mention things in front of him - because he will buy it!!! 

I have received window alarms, battery cables, and even a portable easy to use car battery charger.

He thinks of everything.

I just thought I would show some of these things - so you can do research yourself.  You could buy as a wonderful gift for any occasion or for yourself.  It is always good to be prepared in all ways.  

It isn't just about pantries and freezers or having money in an emergency account.  

Protecting yours and others lives and property is vital.

Have a safe and healthy day!!!!!

Pantry Ideas and Using It

 Hello all - hope this finds you well.  It is a gloomy yet warmer morning here.  It was about 50*F when I got up!  Not going up a lot, but hey, it is January, so that will work for me.  I doubt we see much sun either.  Yesterday was beautiful.  

Today I get back to business - I have had my rest and my quiet.  Now, I am not going to go gangbusters, but it is going to be busier for me.

I have craft projects to complete, more cleaning I want to do, and my big thing is PANTRY/FREEZER use.  I have a lot of many items, and I need to use them.  Not sure what I am waiting for.

We keep our pantries full and our freezers as well, to save money.  We also have extra on hand for emergencies.  You just never know.

Bur having it, and not continually using the oldest, doesn't do us a bit of good.

In my opinion if we have to throw items away for whatever reason, it is exactly the same as throwing cash in the trash can.  You wouldn't do that would you?

The pantry/freezer is like a savings account to me.  You deposit more than you use, and there is always an emergency fund on hand!

Keeping ourselves out of the store a little more, is not a bad thing.  Yes, you may miss a deal this week - but if you didn't know about it, well, I do not consider that a loss.  It will all work out, and you find the deals you are meant to find.

If you mess up and spend and spend - don't give up!  Just get back up and start again.  That advice applies to ALL money matters.

Just don't waste what you have on hand.  Many articles say that the average American throws out more than $25 - $50 worth of food a month.  I would bet it is much more!!!!!

Also remember 'BEST IF USED BY" does not mean expired!!!!!!  Most items are good for long after that date - loooong after!

You don't have to have fancy ingredients to have good tasting meals.  You can perk up food in an abundance of ways.  Herbs, spices, mixing up ingredients - just by getting a little creative.

I mentioned my 'waffle' cornbread - here ya go!  Yep, I love it buttery!!!!  

That is a simple meal of red beans and rice, all seasoned up and cut up a little smoked sausage - and my cornbread.  It was perfectly wonderful and very filling.  My cost - probably less than a couple dollars and there was food left for another meal.

A simple dessert or snack.  These are ginger snap cookies I got in a gift basket ($0 cost) and a few spoonfuls of ice cream (a few cents).  The cookies are the size of vanilla wafers - so basically just a bite or two.  You could use any small cookie you have (or large) and whatever type of ice cream you have.  Simple and quick and very tasty.  Great way to use up those last few cookies in a pack or in the cookie jar.  Fun bites for adults or kiddos.

Heck you can do the same thing with peanut butter and/or jelly.  Peanut butter and marshmallows and nuke for a few seconds!  Lots of ways to save a little and use what you have.

If you start using what you have and shopping less, it is a win-win.  You don't WASTE and you can get creative and have fun with food.  AND you save dollars - which can be used for something else or even SAVED!  There is a concept!!!  LOL

If you are like me - I can't walk out of a store for less than $50+.  I can go for just a couple things - then find stuff that "I just can't live without".  Well, I have decided I can live without all the extra crap and in the process, the savings account/checking account gets tad bigger (for another use).  If you stay out of store a good 2 or 3 weeks a month - well that is $100-$150++ extra you didn't know you could have!

Just some things to think about.  You do not go without, you use what you have, and you make good food.  How is that not a WIN???

Have fun with your food.

I will probably be doing several foodie posts in coming weeks - it is just fun to learn new ideas and figure out how NOT to waste!

Have a bountiful and tasty day!