Frugal Happenings 9/30

Happy last day of September!  Fall has surely been in the air this week.
It is mind boggling that tomorrow is October!
We have had quite a chilly week (I love it) compared to past weeks.  It has been in the 60's and 70's during the day and upper 40's and 50's at night.  It is quite refreshing to sleep with the window open a bit and snuggle under the covers!
This next week it is going to warm up again with highs in low and mid 80's. 

My hummingbirds have left for warmer places.  They were here last Sunday and I saw them first thing Monday morning.  They fluttered directly in front of the kitchen window as if they were saying "thank you and see you next spring".   I will miss my little flying jewels.

My frugal week:

• Produce has drastically dropped off.  I harvested around 6 1/2 lbs. and most of it was peppers - a few tomatoes.
• Hosed down the front of the house, the porch, and the furniture on the porch.  Looks so fresh!
• Mowed and did some yard work
• Washed windows, mirrors and glass on pictures
• G had a birthday this week and I made him a German chocolate cake - his absolute favorite.  I had a mix I got on clearance , but of course it didn't make up like the picture.  It had no ICING - just stuff you mix in the cake.  So I made the topping from scratch.  Dang was that cake rich and yummy - we even shared with neighbor - too much for us to eat here (sugar wise).

The nuts and coconut it came with were to be mixed in cake.  I made my own topping.  Easy and YUM!

• No AC at all this week - windows open and house aired out
• Cut some herbs for drying
• Saved old bread - drying.  Starting to make dressing bread for the holidays
• Received more individual pop bottles to use for water storage
• I did run to Kroger for milk and eggs this week.  I found 3 Mrs. Wages pickles mixes and 2 - Mrs. Wages hot salsa mixes on clearance and got them for my brother's Christmas basket.
• Went to Big Lots 20% off sale yesterday and found 2 nice duffle bags.  They were already on clearance 75% off (school supplies were all marked down) and I got another 20% off - I paid $2 each for them!!!!!!!  They will be the 'goody bags' for 2 of the teenage kids this Christmas. (They are both into sports - so should come in handy)

       One bag for a girl and one for a boy.  They will take a LOT of goodies to fill them!!!!!!

• Got a ton of small maintenance projects done on Friday.  Little things that needed to be done before winter.  Feels good to have them done
• Neighbors had a yard sale Saturday.  I bought myself ANOTHER sewing machine!  I have 2 - one that gives me headaches (I need it serviced) and one that I inherited (haven't even tried it).  This one was too good of a deal to pass on.  It was marked $25 I offered $20 - she said yes.  The original tag on the box says $97.  E-Bay $75 and up.  If nothing else I can gift it to a niece OR keep myself!  We will see.

           It has the manual and all accessories - doesn't look like it has barely been  used.


Meals this past week:
Remade balance of broc./cheddar soup into a chowder & had sandwiches with it
B-day dinner - G wanted food from 50's Diner (HUGE breaded tenderloins/fries/onion rings)
Open face cheeseburgers and slaw, tomatoes
Chef salad - beef stick/cheese/crackers
Taco/Mexican type soup - 2X
Smoked sausage, 4 cheese mac n cheese and tomatoes


That pretty well sums up my week.  Just doing all the normal stuff.
How was your week?  Any great deals?  Gardens still producing?  Preserving goodies?
Let us know.

Prayers for a healthy and happy week for each of you.  Good forward and do or say something nice to/for someone this week - it will help counter balance all the negative out there.  If we all do good - it could change everything.  It's 'catching' you know!!!!!

Blessings to you ALL from our humble home to yours!

On My Mind

I always have so many things flowing around in my little brain!  MOST I will not share - as I try to keep this a 'safe zone' for everyone. 
I have many thoughts about the daily news events (of all types) - but I will keep those to myself.  We all need quiet zones to visit - away from all the crap of the day!
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TODAYS HOROSCOPE
"You get to do what you want to do with people who care about the same things you care about."

Doesn't really seem like a horoscope - but it is true.
 I love getting to talk about things with like minded people - you all!
That makes me so happy.
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This morning a young friend of ours (in 30's) posted on FB that **abc company** has large iced coffees for 1.99 for the rest of the month.  She drinks 3 a day!!!!!! She was so excited. 
BACK STORY - she is a wife. the mother of 3 very young kids, a step mom to 1, a brand new house and 2 new cars and LOTS of debt.
I commented - ANY SIZE iced coffee you want - almost FREE - 365 days a year AT HOME!
Her comment - 'not the same'.
WOW - it just amazes me how differently folks of different generations and different upbringings (super spoiled) think.
Basically $6 a day, at least 5 or 6 days a week, is a lot of money!  That could pay a bill each month or buy groceries (oh wait - they eat out all the time too!).
Drives me crazy!!!!!
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                                                            Mmmmmm - Hmmmmmm!


We have had the same mailman since we moved here in 1986.  He also was the mailman at the last place I worked for years as well.  Think about it - your mailman knows more about your life than most!  Mine knew where I lived, where I worked, where G worked, what bills we owed, what places we ordered from, what hobbies we had, etc.  EVERTHING - LOL.

The other day he knocked on the door, as a he had a small package.  G had ordered something.
I commented that it was probably something for his guns.
Jeff (mailman) says - "oh you guys preppers?  You have a couple guns, a little money buried in the back yard and a couple months of food stored away?"

I was chuckling and said - "sure".  He really doesn't know us after all.  G has been a collector of fire arms for years.  YES, we have money hid - not in the yard - but hid.
2 months of food?  Weeeelllllll - lets say more like 1 - 2 years.

I just find it comical what some people consider prepping for whatever events may happen in our lives.  It also makes me kind of sad.  I do believe his thoughts on the subject mirror the thoughts of many people.  What will they do in a crisis?
Scary!
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My RANT of the week!
I have seen ads on TV the past few days for new movies and TV shows.  They are all remakes of older shows and movies - some of which were classics.  I hate that. 
I like the classics.  It just goes to show that 'the Hollywood' sorts have run out of ideas!!!!!  They aren't really creative - they are just using new people and updating situations.  I know they are trying to reach the younger generation - but try distributing the older version first.  They may like it!!!!
I will not watch the new versions - they are never as good.
Some things need to be left alone.

Have you ever noticed that even Hallmark channel movies, basically all have the same theme?  They are all centered around bakeries, coffee shops, inns, and pets.  LOL - at least that is how is seems to me.  I still watch those - as they are at least family oriented - but you ALWAYS know that there will be a misunderstanding at some point and they will 'live happily ever after'.
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Now you know about 1% of 1 % of what is going on in my head today!  It's a jumbled mess!
Laundry is being done, meat thawing for soup, cleaning and airing the house, and little projects going on.
"It's a Wonderful Life". 
INDEED

Live Simply & Intentionally

Life becomes so overwhelming at times, and we all need our sanctuary - HOME!
We all need to take a step back and examine our lives. 
Are you happy? 
Are you stressed?
Do you ever just throw your hands up and walk away?
Do you dread each day?

TAKE CONTROL - only you can do it.  Live intentionally - by taking control.  Don't let others, or spending, or outside influences control your life.


GET RID OF STUFF - too many things can clutter our homes and our minds.  I am a constant work in progress on this count.  Geesh - how did I end up with all this stuff?  I know you ask the same question.
We need to free ourselves to keep ONLY what we love, find beautiful or need.  Give it away (donate or re-gift), sell it, do whatever you need to - but control the clutter.
De-clutter one room at a time - that makes it easier.

USE CASH as often as possible.  Debt can be overwhelming for sure.  It affects every aspect of our lives.  If you can afford it - pay cash for it.  If you can't afford - don't SPEND!!!!!!
I admit I carry only a certain amount of cash - and I do charge many purchases (I use only 1 CC) - BUT we pay off that card every month.  One bill - one payment.

CLEAN DAILY or as you make a mess.  Don't leave things till later - it will only stress you out and make you angry that you have to do it at all.  Get family involved - let it be know that you are NOT the maid!!!!  Each person needs to clean their own messes as they make them.

DON"T make EXTRA TRIPS to the store.  NEVER make a trip for one thing!!!!!!!  If you are out - you are out.  Substitute something else.  We all know making a trip for ONE thing is basically impossible!  You will always see something else you 'need'.  Just stay home.

Along those lines - keep a DEEP PANTRY.  Always have extras put back for that very reason.  If you keep your stockpile up - there won't be need for extra trips and you will always have what you need on hand.  As you start to get low on something - add it to a list  (I usually add when down to a couple of something).  This enables you to control spending, use what you have, stay on top of things, and HAVE LESS STRESS!

GET OUTSIDE EVERY DAY!!!!!  I don't care if you just sit on the porch or the stoop, walk the yard, feed the critters, talk to a neighbor, tend the garden, mow the grass, take a neighborhood walk, pick up trash around the area, shovel snow - GET OUTSIDE! 
Surprisingly the fresh air and daylight can make a huge difference in your life.  I so wish I could make everyone understand that.  Light, air, and water are essential to all life - and so many people just ignore some of those things, and can not understand why they feel like they do!

REMOVE THE NEGATIVE from your life!!!!!!  This is huge.  It may mean that you have to block or remove people from social media (you all know the drama people), or just get rid of social media all together. 
Turn off the news - YES, we all need to be aware of what is happening - but it doesn't need to be 24/7. 
Pay off debt - that is a huge negative in life.
STAY AWAY from those that drain your spirit.  It doesn't matter if it is family, friends, or neighbors.  I have had to step away from some family do to their hateful attitudes and controlling nature.  They repeatedly drained me of my energy and I had to say NO MORE.  I know that may seem mean or cruel to some - but my mental health and my spirit and energy ARE IMPORTANT for my life here with my hubby.  It doesn't mean you don't love or care for someone - it means that you have to take back your life for your immediate family.

SLOW DOWN - some people think the world can't revolve without them going 10 directions at the same time.  If you quit doing so much - the sun will still rise tomorrow!  You get one shot at this thing called life.  ENJOY IT - don't spend your life always in a hurry - trying to stretch yourself beyond your limits.
If you are working at many jobs - MAYBE you can quit one or two IF you do some of the things listed above!  Just maybe!!!!!!
Limit the kids to a certain amount of activities.  I know everyone wants their children to excel - but at what cost?
Have ME TIME!  Time when you just sit and relax or read or meditate.  Have a 'date' night with your significant other - time alone for just the 2 of you.


There are many things that contribute to living simply - not just less stuff.  If we all try to intentionally take back control of our lives - we will be a lot happier!
Live an INTENTIONAL life and live a  SIMPLER life.
It is up to you.

Frugal Happenings 9/23

HAPPY FALL!
Well, it has arrived and it does feel like it here.  We had a big drop in temps on Friday - and it will continue throughout the next week.
Today is sunny and cool - lovely!
We are to get some rain this next week - but I do look forward to getting a lot of fall yard work done.  There is so much that needs to be tended to before winter sets in.  We all know that will be here before we blink twice!!!!!

It has been an exceptionally quiet week here on the home front.

My frugal week:

• I did make a run to Rural King for a canned cat food stock-up.  I really need to keep up on that every month, to keep my inventory up.
• I have been harvesting a little of this and that.  Peppers, tomatoes, okra and cucumbers.  Totaled around 15 1/2 lbs. this week.  It is really winding down.

Just a few yummy tomatoes waiting to be eaten and shared.  We eat them every night - as soon there will be none!

• Made a batch of cinnamon  rolls
• Did laundry in cold and line dried
• Bought gas for the first time in almost 2 months and got a .20/gallon discount
• I did FINALLY grocery shop this week for a just a few odds and ends.  ONLY spent $32
• Turned off the AC on Friday - probably for the rest of the year!
• Did a little light yard work
• Started doing some fall cleaning
• Windows open and house getting fresh air

SEE - pretty darn quiet and unexciting!  Lovin' it!

Can you see the sweet little hummingbird sitting and resting?  This was right outside the dining room window.  This is the first year I have ever had them just sit still.  They do it a lot.  A birdy has to rest sometime!!!!!!

Meals this past week:
Homemade nachos
Chicken and rice and salad
Pork chops, black eyed peas, stuffing and tomatoes
Hamburger hash, slaw and tomatoes
Chicken French bread pizza topped with roasted tomatoes
FRY night - fried green tomatoes, onions & okra served with franks
Broccoli/rice/cheese soup
All leftovers used at lunches

            Last nights sunset from my porch.  What a beautiful display of God's handiwork!


Life is slowing down a little.  Crops are winding down, so is the canning.  Yard work will increase for a bit - then that will also slow.  Cool days, eating the harvest, scented candles, watching nature and enjoying God's wonders - YEP that is the life!!!!!!

I found a few new recipes this week, that I will be making for Christmas baskets.  Yummy  recipes I will share after I try them!


What is going on in your neck of the woods?  Garden still producing?  Still preserving?  Any deals?
Let us know how you are preparing for fall.


May you all be blessed and safe and healthy this week.  Take time to enjoy all the wonders of fall and the wonderful gifts it has to offer.  Be kind.  Praise your Maker for everything.
Blessings from our humble home to yours.

Fun Festive Fall Food

It's that time of the years when we do a lot of fun and yummy goodies.
Kids are back in school, there are backyard bonfires and cookouts, football parties, and even Mom & Dads coming home from a long day at work - looking for a treat as well.

I like to have things that can be eaten as a treat or as part of a meal.
Today I will give you a couple of my favorites.


CORN AND BLACK BEAN SALSA
15 oz. can of black beans (drained)
16 oz.  can of corn (drained)
3/4 C sweet onion, chopped
3/4 C bell pepper - chopped
1 C tomato - chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced (if you have it)
1 tsp. pepper
1/3 C apple cider vinegar
1/4 C oil

Mix all the ingredients together in a large serving bowl, cover and refrigerate for 3 - 4 hours.
Great with tortilla chips or corn chips.  Fun with pitas or tortillas - or just in a bowl eaten with a spoon!
Pretty much ingredients that we all have on hand at anytime.
Great for cookouts, football parties or after school snacks - and pretty healthy too!!!!  Ssshhhh don't tell them that part!


MARSHMALLOW FRUIT DIP
(This is a family/friend favorite)
8 oz. pack of softened cream cheese
7 oz. jar marshmallow crème
1/4 c sugar
Mix together till smooth.  Great for dipping fruit of all types.  We especially like with apples, bananas and strawberries.  Also yummy with ginger snaps or vanilla wafer cookies.
This was always a MUST on our camping trips for munching away.

Another fall favorite - candy corn and salted peanuts mixed together!  Tastes like a Pay Day candy bar!


FALL CIDER
4 C apple cider
2 C cranberry juice
46 oz. can of apricot juice
1 C orange juice
3/4 C sugar
2 - small cinnamon stick
1 orange - peeled and sectioned
Pour ALL ingredients into a slow cooker and heat on low until warmed through.  Remove cinnamon sticks and orange sections before serving.
Serve warm.
This is good for football parties or campfires and cookouts.  Warm up a tummy after school on a nice cold day.  Pretty healthy too!
*You could even 'adult' it up with alcohol added to each glass.


CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESE BALL
8 oz. pack cream cheese - softened
1/2 C butter - softened
1/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 C powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar -  packed
3/4 C mini chocolate chips (or what you have)
3/4 C chopped pecans.
Cream  the cream cheese, butter and vanilla till fluffy.  Add sugars and mix well.  Fold in chips.  Cover and refrigerate for a couple hours.  Shape into a ball and refrigerate one more hour.  Uncover and roll in pecans just before serving.
Yummy served with vanilla wafers or sugar cookies.  (I like it with pretzels too)
Makes a great snack, dessert, or cookout treat.


Hope this makes an afternoon or evening a little more enjoyable.
YUMMY IN YOUR TUMMY!

Eat Great for Little $

We all want to eat good wholesome meals and we all don't want to spend a fortune to do that.
There are a lot of tricks and hacks that can help out in so many ways.  You DO NOT have to spend a lot of money - you just need to be creative!

Watch out for the DEALS OF THE MONTH!
September is generally the month to get great deals on apples, broccoli, cauliflowers and canned goods.
It is also National Rice Month
National Potato Month
National Honey Month
National Chicken Month
National Breakfast Month  &
National Mushroom Month
OK this is getting kind of crazy..... national this and that!

I just like to look for the best deals available each month at orchards, farm markets, neighborhood stands, grocery stores and any place else that sells food!
I think you know me by now and you know  markdowns and sales are my go to items!!!

I realize some people don't have a good stockpile of food - and shop weekly or as the budget allows.  If you get down to the nitty-gritty of supplies never fear.  If you get down to A piece of meat or little meat - just remember you should use it as an ingredient - NOT a coarse of the meal.
Cut up a pork chop or chicken breast and add to sauce or rice or pasta.  Use a half pound of ground in sauce or in a casserole or soup.  Add more veggies, rice or pasta to meals and cut back on the expensive ingredients.

My favorite filling & frugal go-to meals are beans and cornbread, chili or soup, a large baked potato, and biscuits and gravy or breakfast.  These can all be made for pennies and they are filling and yummy.

This is a great way to turn an inexpensive cake mix into a gourmet delight!  I always use olive oil whenever I make a box brownie mix.  It makes them taste 'from scratch'. 

****  If you are BAKING and realize you are out of a supply - here are a few ideas:

Need a can of sweetened condensed milk - sub 3/4 c sugar, 1/2 C water, and 1 1/2 C powdered milk.  Bring all together to a boil and stir at lower heat for about 20 minutes.  Equivalent to about 1 can!

Need an egg - sub 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise and 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Need heavy cream for a recipe - sub 2/3 C whole milk w 1/3 C melted unsalted butter

Corn syrup - 2 C white sugar, 3/4 C water, 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar.  Whisk together, boil, cover and simmer for 3 minutes - uncover and cook to the 'soft-ball' stage (a drop in cold water makes a ball).  It will store in air tight container in pantry for a couple months.

Buttermilk (to cook with NOT drink) - 1 C milk and 1 Tbsp. white vinegar or lemon juice.  Let it stand for several minutes before using.

Powder sugar - just pulverize regular white sugar in the blender.

Colored sugar for cookie decorating - regular sugar and mix in a few drops (to desired color0 of food coloring.)  Mix well.  I do this every holiday to get my own special colors!

Evaporated milk - 1/3 C non-fat dry milk and 6 Tbsp. water


MEAL SUBSTITUTIONS

Potatoes, rice and pasta can be switched out in most recipes.  Don't have one - use another!
Again, use less meat than called for
Soups and casseroles are great ways to stretch out your food and your budget
Have a NO MEAT night once or twice a week
Turn leftovers into something new - NEVER throw out food.  Either turn it into a new dish or use for lunches.
Remember beans and cheese are proteins as well as meat.

SNACKS AND DESSERTS
Make your own!!!!!!!
Bake cakes, pies, cookies, etc. yourself. 
Eat fruit when in season for a snack - it is healthy too.
Make popcorn - super cheap and tasty.  Experiment with different seasonings to jazz it up.
Cheese & crackers, fruit and peanut butter, carrots/celery and dip........ there are many options for a snack.

Make some lunchmeat salad (buy inexpensive lunchmeat and grind).  Great for sandwiches or with crackers as a snack.  Great way to expand lunchmeat or ham/chicken/turkey, etc.  into a meal for many.
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Get yourself a cookbook or two (or get them at the library) and go to town.  There is no limit to what you can do and you can eat REALLY WELL and for little money!
Don't be afraid to try things on your own.  I am a  huge 'by the seat of my pants' kind of cook!  Most times it turns our fine.

Have fun - eat well - get creative and spend little money!
What are your favorite money savers?

Frugal Happenings 9/16

Good morning.  Hard to believe it is already the middle of September!
Hope this post finds everyone well.

We got to keep the AC most of the week, till Friday.  I finally got the basement all dried out and the musty smell has gone.  Thank goodness.
We are back in the mid to upper 80's and that will continue through the next week.  I guess summer isn't done yet!
I know that our water problems of last week was nothing, compare to what the folks in the South East are going through.  I pray for their safety.  It is so sad, and so many are losing everything.

WOW I went to my 45th graduating class reunion last night.  Man that sounds awful - I AM OLD!  It was a pretty good time, catching up with people.  We had a huge class (around 900) and only about 1/8 of the people showed up.  I still come across names and people I have never heard of!  I have always said that living in the same place all these years - that it was weird not running into schoolmates.  Well, I probably do, I just don't know them!  

                      My angel watching over the yard - Love the 'cross' shadow she emits.
My frugal week:

• Changed out handbags this week - to a more 'fall-ish' one
• Cut G's and my hair
• Colored my hair at home
• Made another quart of ice cream
• Canned 5 pints of chopped tomatoes.  Many split and had spots after last weeks rain - so I salvaged all I could and canned.  Waste not.........
• Picked about 15 lbs. of produce
• G had his home doctor visit this week.  All is good!
• Finally dried out and got some much needed yard work done
• Line dried laundry
• Received a FREE Country Woman magazine in the mail.  Trying to entice me back.
• I went out once to get G's scripts - so I ran to Kroger to get cat litter.  I got 4 - 4 packs of highlighters for kids holiday baskets for .59 each on clearance.  Also got 4 - 10 packs of mechanical pencils for .79 each.  Bought NO groceries again.
• AC off most of week
• Took our friend/neighbor to Dr. this week and found a new thrift store in the same complex!  I went in and looked for a few minutes - it's huge and cheap.  I need to go back and SHOP!
• Friend/neighbor gave us 7 cans of condensed soup (mainly mushroom and onion - which he hates) and 2 cans of kidney beans and a half pound of pecan halves (which he hates).  His EX gf brought all that to his house trying to get  him to eat it.  It didn't work - so I got it!  YAY!!
• Just doing all our regular stuff

I still have 2 hummingbirds hanging out - All the others seem to have left.  They sure are drinking the nectar like crazy. 

Last weekend I spent a rainy afternoon watching the 1949 classic The Secret Garden.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  That has always been one of my favorite books.  Old moves are just so cool to see.


Meals this past week:  (Easy week)
Hamburger veggie soup 2X
Pizza
Leftover pizza and salad
Turkey & cheese sandwiches, potato salad and sliced tomatoes
Steak burgers/onions, fried corn, and salad
G had turkey sandwich & chips and dip - I ate at reunion

All other leftovers used for lunches

Sure sign it's almost fall - the sedum is blooming.  Love my 'live forever'.  They sure attract bees and butterflies!


So there you have it  not very exciting at all.  That's OK, I like it that way. 
How was your week?  Did you get any deals?  How are the gardens doing?

I hope and pray that you are all safe and healthy.  Prayers going out for anyone in the storm affected areas.  Life isn't always easy - but it always good. 

Blessings from our humble home to yours!