Frugal Happenings 11/12

Good morning everyone.  I hope you are doing great on this fine Sunday.

Good news first:  I got a note from Jane this morning and Bluey is home and slowing gaining his strength back.  They still don't know exactly what happened (no stroke), but he passed out, aspirated, quit breathing, and was hospitalized -  ended up with pneumonia.  Scary stuff.  I let her know they are still in our prayers.

My week went nothing like I anticipated - NOTHING!  I went out Monday morning to run a couple errands, and as I started to back out of the drive, my brakes went out!   Totally out!  (Thank goodness I was not out on the roads).  We had the Blazer towed to the mechanics and thought it would be a fairly quick fix.  You know that saying about "the best laid plans"?  Each day found another problem in that area.  Oh my.
I didn't want to start anything that was involved - not knowing when they would call.  I had appointments and errands that couldn't be done.  Good deal was I was home all week - so no money spent!  Bad news - it was Friday, late afternoon, before I got the vehicle back and almost $500 gone!  YIKES!!
THIS my friends is exactly why we are frugal most of the time.  Problem solved - paid cash - no debt. Blessed!
Unexpected problems can be devastating if we are not somewhat prepared.

The weather turned very cold this week.  We had one day that the high was in the 30's!  Friday set a record for coldest temperatures for that date in 67 years!  All that after last Sunday being in the 70's with storms.  Crazy weather for sure.

I got most of my errands run and things caught up on Saturday.  I hustled for sure.  I was exhausted at the end of the day - but I am back on track for the most part.

My frugal week:

• I made a big bowl of fruit salad with fresh and canned fruit. (home canned and store bought).  Made for nice and healthy desserts.
• Dried more bread (.39 bread) for dressing
• Made up a new bottle of shampoo (shampoo, water and a bit of Listerine) - a new bottle of dish soap (water, soap, and vinegar), and a new bottle of 'Febreeze' like spray (liquid fabric softener and water) .  Febreeze spray also works to cut static around the house.
• Did some soggy yard work early in week.  Tried to get some leaves up - but it is a futile task at this point!  Tons more to fall.
• Did quite a bit of mending
• Froze some leftover enchilada sauce (used some on burritos).  Froze in cubes for easy use later.
• Watched several older Holiday Baking Championship shows.  Love getting new ideas.
• I got a turkey for .49/lb.  Found a 21 pounder!

• Also got several cans of 'cream of' soup to have on hand for convenience (when I don't have home made mix available) for .49 a can.
• Watched a few You Tube videos on being frugal and on off-grid living (so interesting)
• I stopped at an annual craft bazaar I always go to.  Bought no crafts, but did buy a few things from the "grandma's closet" area.  I got 4 lovely NEW placemats, 3 Christmas (Coca Cola) tumblers and 2 picture frames - ALL for $2.70!!!

Meals this week:
Chicken tetrazinni (homemade)
Deconstructed cabbage roll skillet
Burgers and cheese nachos
Chicken/rice/bean burritos  - homemade
Fish sandwiches and oven fries
Jalapeno/pimento cheese sandwiches and chips
Loaded hot dogs


Remember that now is the time to add to the pantry - there are so many holiday specials, with some ridiculously low prices.  Shop those lost leaders and get deals for yourself or to help others.
ALSO REMEMBER 6 weeks from tomorrow is Christmas!!!!!!
How can that be?

What was your week like - any good deals?  Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  How is your gift shopping/crafting going?


May you all be blessed with health, safety, and happiness in the coming week.  God bless my friends.

An Apple a Day............

It is now that time of the year, that apples are in abundance and cheaper.  Apples are very good for us - lot's of vitamins and nutrients.  Apples are ever so tasty.  Apples are very versatile.

I love crunching away on a fresh apple.  I love cider, apple butter, fried apples, apple pie/crisp, apple jelly, applesauce and ALL the many, many ways they can be prepared and enjoyed.
Apples or apple products can be added to sweet breads and muffins, in donuts, in cookies, cakes, etc.  Applesauce can replace oils in baking, to  make a healthier dish.
My favorite is fresh apples and peanut butter - I make many a lunch from that!


The following, are two charts that I have run across, that may help you in your purchases.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

I hope this you decide on the type of apple you may purchase and how many you need.

Fuji has become our new favorite.  I have always made sauce and canned apples with Granny Smith apples in the past.  I then went through a phase of loving Braeburn for fresh eating.  Fuji seems to be such a lovely combination of sweet, tart, juicy, and CRSIPINESS and is great for eating and canning!


Check out your local orchards and enjoy some fresh juicy apples.  Canning time doesn't have to be over yet!

An apple a day keeps the doctor away!!!!

Thanksgiving - Keep it Simple

Thanksgiving Day will be here in a bit over two weeks for those of us in the U.S.  It is traditional a day of family gatherings and EXCESS!
People tend to go really over board.  Perfection is strived for.  Lots of money is spent.

Here is a novel thought - KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Know your pantry and your freezer and SHOP it first!
Plan a nice yet simple menu.
Know how many people you are planning to serve.
If you shop - shop for loss leaders - those rock bottom deals!
Have others pitch-in something.  Maybe a dessert, rolls, drinks, a favorite side dish, a salad, etc.

Keep DRINKS simple.  Stick with water, tea, coffee, maybe lemonade, punch. or Kool-aid for the kids.  If people are expecting alcohol, supply one type, and let others bring what they want.  Wine and hard liquor can be very expensive.

Stick to basic and simple foods, and make plenty.  We all like those leftovers over the long (shopping) weekend.
The day should be more about savoring "the moments and the people" than the food.
Take lots of pictures, and sit back and listen and watch.  Pay attention to the expressions and laughter of others, enjoy their company - you don't know if you will ever have that experience again.

You can use basic ingredients from your pantry and jazz them up a bit if so desired.  Some people are just NOT happy with simple - so just get creative.
A pretty table can make simple things lovely!

CRANBERRIES - can be made into a salad by adding cut up oranges and walnuts (this is something I like - it really is good).
You can mix cranberries with apples and blend into a pie or crisp.  A taste of sweet and tart.

SQUASH - mix zucchini with eggs, cheese, and bread crumbs for a casserole/quiche.  Roast chunks of squash of various types. 
Stuffed squash is yummy and filling (could cut back on other dishes).

This could be used as a main dish, if you and your family are keeping it real simple and frugal.  YUM

VEGGIES - roast them.  Carrots, onions, potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, you name it.  Late garden crops make a lovely harvest dish.
You can also stretch veggies by mixing with rice or orzo and maybe adding some 'cream of' soup for a nice casserole.
Make VEGGIE pigs in a blanket!!  Instead of the standard sausage or hotdogs - use steamed asparagus or strips of steamed carrots in the center of your 'blanket'.  Fun, different and yummy.
GREEN BEANS - plain or with baby potatoes or mixed with corn.  Green bean casserole, scalloped, oh so many options.
CORN - plain or mixed with lima beans (succotash), or blend with cornbread mix into a casserole/pudding.

MEAT - traditionally we have turkey and/or ham.  Both are wonderful and provide a great deal of leftovers that can be utilized in many additional meals in various ways.
Perhaps  buy a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey and make lovely open face turkey sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy.  We like to make what we call Manhattan's after turkey day.  A warm turkey sandwich, cut in half and separated - mashed potatoes in the center the halves, all covered with gravy!  One of my favorite things.
A large ham steak will provide a nice dinner for 2 - 4 people.
Bake or roast a chicken.  Make a roast.  Make a special ethnic dish. 
Dinner doesn't have to be about turkey or ham.  Use what you HAVE and what you can AFFORD!
IF you can find a turkey for a great price - remember that it is healthy and cheaper than lunchmeat!!

DESSERTS - can be simple and frugal and still quite a treat.  Make a dump cake - quite easy.  Brownies or cookies are always good.  Fancy Jell-O salads are inexpensive.  We do like traditional desserts like pecan pie and cheesecake - but if I don't have the ingredients on hand - I will make something different (plus we really don't need to calories!).  Pumpkin pie is always a favorite at this time of year for many people - do it from scratch or go semi-homemade (canned filling all jazzed up).

DRESSING/STUFFING - I guess it depends on where you live as to what you call it!  Many people go simple with Stove Top stuffing.  You can add turkey broth and other ingredients to jazz it up.  I make my own - so simple and easy.  Dried bread, celery, onions, broth, seasoning and an egg or two.  Costs virtually nothing to make and tastes like heaven!!! 
**watch for mark downs on bread and dry ahead of time, get deals on celery and onions - super cheap this time of year.**


ABSOLUTELY NOTHING says you have to serve what everyone else is serving.  Step out of the 'holiday' box and do what you want and what you can afford.
Go and check your pantry this week!!   Set aside the items you can use for your Thanksgiving dinner.  Make your menu now!!  Shop sales IF you need additional ingredients.
Have fun and enjoy the holiday without going into debt or using money better spent on other things.
*Remember Christmas is just around the corner**


MY simple menu:
Turkey (.49/lb.) and ham - both will make lots of other meals
Green bean casserole
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Dressing/stuffing
Rolls
Creamy Jell-O/fruit/nut salad

Apple/cranberry crisp
Cherry/pineapple dump cake


This is a simple menu - but not an everyday menu.  Everyone will be happy and full!  Very little money spent - most ingredients are in the pantry already!

I hope this gives you something to think about and some ideas that you can use.
Keep it simple, keep it frugal, and most of all - ENJOY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
 

Frugal Happenings 11/5

Good morning my frugal friends.  May this find you well and happy.
First, I'd like to ask for prayers for our friend JANE and her BLUEY.  She found Bluey unconscious  a couple days ago, and he is in a induced coma in the hospital at this point.  They are trying to find a cause.  Hopefully they will allow him to wake tomorrow.  Please pray.

This has been a lazy week for me.  I feel like I have been moving like a sloth all week!  It started cold, wet, and dreary and ended warm, wet, and dreary.  UGH.  I have gotten to turn off heat for a couple days - nice.  We had ONLY one day with sun this week.
I have had to get out REGULAR shoes!  ACK!!!!  I hate shoes, but had to break down and get them out.  Still haven't put away the flip-flops.  LOL
I desperately need to mow, but it is so stinking muddy - so that hasn't happened.
We have a great possibility of some nasty storms today.  Hot air meeting cool air - so enhanced risk of bad stuff.  I sure hope most of it misses us.

Halloween had few trick or treaters for us.  We used to have tons of kids come by (like 400+).  This was the least we ever had with just about 60.  I have lots of candy left which will be used in baking and Christmas baskets.  I had purchased it all on clearance a couple months ago.

My frugal week:

• Dried FREE bread for dressing for the holidays/winter
• Tallied receipts for the month
• Made some sausage/egg muffins with FREE English muffins I received last week
• Did go to the orchard and bought apples, Asian pears and cider for healthy snacks
• Cut G's and my hair
• Received a FREE 2018 wall calendar from NRA - beautiful pictures of 'hunting' dogs
• Working on my Christmas list and going through purchases - seeing what I need to get yet
• Bought 6 small pumpkins for 3/.25 on clearance for the squirrels!  We don't eat pumpkin, but the squirrels will enjoy the seeds.  I cut off the top and they stick their heads in!  CUTE
• Couldn't line dry laundry this week - but did hang some laundry in the basement and only used the dryer for a minimal amount of time.
• Meals from home and scratch

This is the geranium that says "I think I can - I think I can".  Still hanging in there and looking pretty despite frost and freeze.  It's up against the house - it's saving grace! 

We have also been enjoying watching the many, many cardinals in the yard, and this week we have had an abundance of blue jays in the yard.  They are huge and so majestic looking.  We always have small woodpeckers, however this week the huge pileated woodpecker made an appearance for most of a day.   Such a beauty!   The squirrels are a hoot, playing and running and chasing each other.  FREE entertainment right outside the window!


Meals this week:
Hamburger/veggie soup 2X
Loaded baked potatoes
Sausage gravy/toast and scrambled eggs
Spaghetti
Leftover pasta with added cheese/broccoli & cheeseburgers with sautéed onions
Fried split brussel sprouts/onion (in bacon grease), grilled beef fillets and salad.
**Boy were the brussel sprouts yummy cooked that way - added just a splash on soy sauce too.


As you can see, not a lot going on here.  I really need to motivate myself this coming week and get something accomplished.

I did notice this morning an ad in the paper - 4 day sale at Kroger - turkey .49/lb. with additional $20 purchase.  Cheapest I have seen in several years.  I do believe that I have now made enough space to store one until needed for Thanksgiving!
We truly haven't had good turkey sales in our area in ages.  The best prices have been about .69 or .79 over the past few years.  How I long for .29/lb. days!!!!!!!  LOL

I am not happy about this time change thing!  Extra hour sleep last night?  Not here.  My kitties have no idea how to tell "clock" time and still wanted to eat at the same time!  I also wake when my internal clock says 'wake up' - not the clock.  Heck it will dark at 6PM tonight - I so hate that!  The days just seem so short this time of year - I know this most definitely affects my mood!  A friend suggested I buy one of those lights for that - maybe I should.
Oh well, if that is my only problem in life - I am doing great!!!!!!!!  Sorry for complaining!


What was your week like?  Any frugal finds or special deals?

I pray for health and happiness for each of you and your families in the coming week.  Please stay frugal my friends.
God bless you all!

Season of Thanks

I know we are all thankful ever day for our families and friends and our fur babies.  We are also thankful for health and home.  We have so much to be grateful for, because no matter what situation we are in, there is always someone in a worse one.
I thank my Savior every morning for the dawning of another day and I thank Him every night for another day on this earth.  Some are not so fortunate.

I have been reading so many FB posts lately that seem to portray people as so ungrateful.  So many people seem put upon, when they have received a FREE bounty - as it isn't what they 'wanted'!  Others have been talking about how awful and rude people have become, and they feel so dejected by them. 
YES, there are some bad people and rude people in this world - but I think our reaction is MORE important than the rudeness!! 
Lay on the kindness - no matter how hard that is to do.  It surely will change you and your outlook of the day - and perhaps the other person as well.


It seems that so many people seem to forget about those in need until the holiday season is upon them.  People tend to put the hungry, the homeless, the 'less desirable', children - "out of sight, out of mind" for most of the year.
People need food every day, folks need bedding, socks, undies, etc. every day, they need health and beauty items, they NEED KINDNESS every day.
Children need to be able to go to school in a decent outfit (bullying is horrible), a meal to start the day, the security of knowing they have a safe place to return to, something to hug!

I recently read a post on a FB page of our park area neighborhood (this is a few blocks up the road).  They were 'warning' residents that people were sleeping beneath the bridges and in the park shelters.  They had called the police and reported it as well.  I, for the life of me, don't know how they knew this unless they are purposely looking - as all bridges and shelters are secluded from public/road view.
I totally understand their dismay, but then again most of them NEVER do anything to HELP - they just complain.  My response was 'please pray for them' - that was met with much criticism!!!!!!
I say "only by the grace of God" for most of us.

I try to do my part by providing food and funds for the area soup kitchen (right by the park) and we gift socks and blankets often.  I have made up 'survival' bags in the past to be handed out to the area homeless.  Those bags included small size toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, wash cloth, hand towels, hand wipes, razor, etc.   The area church (by the park) has clothing give-aways, and we donate to those.
Any act of kindness is appreciated.

I just hope that each of us can do something to help those less fortunate.  Cold weather seems to make things more prominent in our eyes.
Let all of us be God's angels here on earth.

PLEASE consider donating to a food pantry, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, local school, or children's gifting trees this year. 
Ask your area school if you can donate funds to feed kids who may not have lunch money - many schools have pantries that send food home for the weekends, some schools have a clothing closet, many need donations of school supplies.

We are ALL truly blessed.  We may have hard times - but there is always someone having a harder time.  In my view, money is not what I consider "riches" - it is merely having someone that cares and does.  There are so many blessings far more valuable than money.
           

This is not something everyone has.  Hope and Peace are treasures.

I challenge everyone to do something kind for another human being.
If you are in dire straights financially - give a kind word, a helping hand, a smile - that is FREE.  You have no idea what it could mean to someone.
God bless you all.

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

PS - I was late with this post today because of one of our blessings!  Our elderly neighbor stopped by for a visit.  He lost his wife of nearly 50 years this spring, and he was lonely today.  I feel truly blessed that he feels comfortable visiting with us and conversing for several hours.  There is so much to learn from our elders - compassion being the most important.

Frugal & Fun - Ornaments

Today is Halloween and I truly hate to think about Christmas until this day is over.
NOW we can get busy and make some lovely and easy ornaments for ourselves and for gifts.  Super frugal and cute!


CINNAMON ORNAMENTS
1 1/2 C smooth applesauce
2 C cinnamon (buy cheaply at dollar stores)
Mix ingredients together.  Roll out dough to about 1/4" thick - use cookies cutters to make cute shapes.  Improvise and make cute hand or foot cutouts of the kids or grands!
When rolling out and working with dough lightly dust area and hands with cinnamon.
Air dry for 3 - 4 days OR bake at 175* for 2 -3 hours.
Use a small straw to make a hole for ribbon, string, or hook.
**Store in zip-lock bags after Christmas to preserve smell for next year.  THEY SMELL SO GOOD!

These are so cute as tree decorations, added to wreaths, or as a cute addition to a package.


SALT ORNAMENTS
4 C flour
1 C salt
1 1/2 C warm water
Mix dry ingredients and slowly add water while stirring.  When the dough gets too stiff to mix with a spoon, use your hands.  Roll out 1/8" thick. (If too thick it will tend to split and break).  best to roll between 2 sheets of parchment paper.  Use a skinny straw to make a hole.  Bake at 300* on parchment for about 1 hour.  Allow to cool and paint and then spray with poly spray.

Paint and spray for beautiful gifts or gift tags (add a personal touch with painting a name).


WHITE CLAY ORNAMENTS
1 C baking soda
1/2 C corn starch
3/4 C warm water
Mix dry ingredients in a cooking pot - then add water and stir.  Stir over medium heat until bubbling and pulling away from sides of pot.  Cool a bit in the pot - then remove and knead into a soft dough.  IF too wet, add a bit more baking soda.  Roll 1/4" thick and cut into shapes.
*You can add glitter to the dough at the kneading stage if desired.
Push in beads, jewels or other decorations and allow to air dry over night. 
This dough would be cute to add pet paw prints - or kids hand/foot prints in.
These can be painted if desired.

PINE CONE DECORATIONS
Pinecone can be found most anywhere.  If no pine trees in your yard, check your local park or cemetery - most all have pinecones laying all over the ground.
Pinecones can be spray painted, glued and glittered, dipped in wax, etc.  They can be turned upside down and made into trees, can be added to wreaths, made into cute angels, added to center pieces or garland, placed on mantles and on and on.............................

I like making bird gifts with them.  Spread the cone with peanut butter and roll in bird seed to heavily coat.  Wrap loosely in plastic wrap and a ribbon and give to a bird loving friend!!!!

TWIGS AND BRANCHES
Nature gives us so many gifts that we can use in lovely and rustic decorations.  Learn to use what you have.
Twigs can be cut into pieces and glued to the outside of a plain votive holder for a rustic candle holder.
Fill a vase with assorted sizes of branches - wrap a lovely bow around the vase.  Branches can be left plain or spray painted (gold is festive).
Grape vines can be made into wreaths.
You can make all kinds of ornaments with twigs - twigs and a glue gun is all you need.
Spare ribbon pieces or strips of fabric and twigs can be a cute Christmas tree ornament.

Your imagination is your only limiting factor on creating fun and easy FREE ornaments from nature.


You can make so many cute decorations for pennies or FREE.  These are also fun projects for the kids or grandkids - what a fun day it would be.  How lovely to decorate your home with homemade, and how cute these would all be as gifts.  I love homemade gifts - so personal.

Get your CREATIVE BRAIN GOING and have some frugal fun.
Decorating and gifting doesn't have to cost much!

Frugal Happenings 10/29

Hello my frugal friends.  WOW here we are at the end of another month!
It is hard to believe that we will be welcoming in 2018 in a couple months.  It sure doesn't seem possible.

The weather has FINALLY become fall-like.  We have had a lot of rain and gloom this past week and them temps - well, they fell!  Lows are in the 30's and high in the 40's and 50's.  Thursday morning we had our first 'noticeable' frost and we are supposed to have our first freeze tonight.
The garden party is over!!!!  It makes me sad, but it is also nice to have a break.
I got all the water bowls plugged in for the kitties and natures vast array of critters!

We have had 4 pair of cardinals in the yard for about the past week.  They seem to be busy eating right at dusk and dawn.  Oh my, they are so beautiful!
The birdies and squirrels sure do realize that the weather is changing - they are eating LOTS of food!

Cuteness overload!  I thought this was the sweetest picture!!!!

 

My frugal week:

• I processed the last batch of kraut - 8 pints
• Did get to do more yard work when it wasn't raining - FREE exercise
• Picked ALL the garden that was left.  I got 8 - 5"-6" heads of cabbage.  5 - tennis balls size heads - several pounds of broccoli, the end of the peppers and bunches and bunches of cherry green tomatoes!   Picked thyme, rosemary, and oregano.
• Dehydrated the tiny heads of cabbage  (took them apart) - and ground into powder.
• Dehydrated herbs
• Had a breakfast/brunch with a high school pal this week.  We met at 9:30 and left the restaurant at 2PM!  We had lots to catch up on.  Cheap fun!!!!!!
• This was my birthday week and I went to buy myself a present - but found nothing except Christmas gifts!  I went to Big Lots to look for a new shower curtain - NOPE.  BUT I did find 2 - gallon size jars (2lb.each) of Protein powder for my nephews who work out a ton.  They were regular 19.99 and I PAID 5.00 each.!!!!!!!
• I also got regular size cans of chunky cranberry sauce for .10 each!  Not huge cranberry eaters, but in a pinch it would taste great.   I may also use to make jam with oranges/cranberry.
• I received some money as a gift this week, and also some home canned goods from my brother (things I don't can).  G bought dinner one night - as I was told I was NOT cooking!!!!  How sweet (but I cringed at the amount spent!)
• Did more fall deep cleaning.  It never ends.
• All the normal stuff - we do each and every day!

Meals this week:
Leftover homemade pizza and salad
Taco salad
Mini taco pies and brussel sprouts
Cheesy smoked sausage sandwiches and chips
Cajon rice with chicken . steamed broccoli and sliced tomatoes
Pizza, breadsticks, and wings (delivered) Big Box - had 2 different pizzas & other goodies!
Leftover breadsticks and cheese and pizza


I will be making a nice pot of hamburger/veggie soup today.  I am so in the soup mood with these chilly days!
I am all set for Halloween (with clearance candy I got earlier) - but I still am not sure what I will do.  It just gets kind of scary any more - you never know who is walking around out there.  IF I do it, I will sit outside so I don't have to open the door (it's what I always do) and I will quit early - at dark.  The little kids start coming about 6PM - those are the ones I care about.
Halloween is only once a year and I remember how exciting it was when I was kid.

I sure do dislike the shorter daylight hours we are having.  They will only get worse in another week with the time change.  It is now still dark at 8AM and is dark at 7:30 PM.  That is one part of fall/winter that I hate!  UGH

What did you do in your frugal home this week?  Are the gardens done?  Any special deals?
It seems that the 'fall winding down' is happening every where here in the states.  Some of our readers are getting to enjoy spring/summer!  Lucky gals!


I hope each of you has a safe and healthy week.  May the Lord bless you and keep you in His loving arms.
Blessing from our frugal home to yours.
Cheryl



**Please say an extra prayer for our reader Laura at Harvest Lane Cottage.  She has been battling cancer and is now finished with chemo and surgery.  Prayers that the Lord heals her quickly and completely!