Frugal Happenings 12/30

Happy Sunday.  Wow, here we are on the last weekend on the YEAR!  It seems like yesterday that we were talking about the start of 2018.  Geesh, I am just now getting used to writing 2018 and now I have to change!
I know I did not achieve all that I hoped in the year - but I do look forward to 2019 and to all the fun it may bring.

Weather has been up and down this week.  We had one day at almost 60*F and others in the 30's.  NY eve is to bring rain and storms and 50's.  I know many of you have experienced a lot of snow and really cold weather (and others have extreme heat) - but so far our winter has been uneventful.  I guess I shouldn't brag.

As fun as the holidays were, I am looking forward to being back to 'normal' - whatever that is!  No shopping, no baking, no rushing - just calm.  I got to see a lot of family I don't get to see real often, so that was just lovely.  The younger generation is always so busy and doing their own thing - us 'old' folks get last dibs!!!!

Here is a pic of myself (in red) with some of my great nieces and nephews and even a gr. gr. nephew and one 'in the oven' (girl kneeling is pregnant).  These are my brother's grandchildren.  They are such fun to be around and they make me (at 5'8") look short!!!!!

My frugal week:

• Salvaged some nice big pieces of really heavy gift wrapping that I will use again and saved tissue paper and pretty bags as well
• Shared lots of holiday buffet leftovers with our neighbor/friend and lots of sweets as well.  Needed all those sweets out of sight!
• Set up a new 'snack' pantry area
• Got all gifts and goodies put away and the main part of house straightened and cleaned
• Took all decorations down and have house back to normal
• Cut G's and my hair
• Cut the fronts off all the Christmas cards.  These will be used for lists and notes - I have plenty to use as gift cards from years past. (I also kept the backs of some cards that were mainly empty of script to use for lists.)
• Reworked and totally straightened the deep pantry that I have downstairs
• We are getting FREE premium channels on cable through Jan.1.  DVRing lots of shows for later
• Got a corned beef brisket out of freezer to thaw for our NY dinner
• Did NO after Christmas sale shopping - no need for anything
• Have my new calendar for 2019 all marked with birthdays and such and ready to put up
• All normal things - making tea, laundry in cold, using leftovers, made up new bottle of shampoo mix, etc.

Meals this past week:
Leftover sloppy Joes and cheesy potatoes  (froze balance of sloppy Joes for later)
Baked spaghetti (used up balance of BBQ meatballs in it)
Chicken and dumplings & mashed potatoes (G's request for Christmas)
Fried chicken, leftover dumplings and salad
Dirty rice with ground sausage and side of marinated veggies
Homemade pizza
Long John Silvers - I bad!!!!  (It tasted so good)

We munched on chips/dip, beef stick, cheese and crackers for snacks (and of course sweets)
**********************************
Have you survived all the holiday festivities?  Are you done with your celebrations?  Did you get any money saving gifts to use or shop for any deals?

I look forward to learning from and sharing with everyone in the coming year.  I am glad we are in this lifestyle together.  It is so much fun getting new ideas and 'meeting' new people from all over the world.
I pray that as this new year begins, that you and your family will have health, happiness and prosperity.  May all your wishes and dreams come true.

Blessings and HAPPY NEW YEAR from our humble home to yours.

My Grim Reminder of WHY I Stock

Sometimes we all get that slap in the face on SOME subject.  It may be a DUH moment (why didn't I think of that) or it may be an "aaaahhhh this is why I do what I do" moment.

I got one of those yesterday.  I read over the grocery ads, which are really lousy this week!  I decided to go ahead and run to Kroger, as I just wanted to get a couple things.   It was a really nice day (sunny and warm) and was going to be the nicest day of the week - so why not.
I went to get milk,  and cabbage for New Year's day (it's tradition).  I did get both - but good grief they had cabbage advertised ON SALE for .79/lb.!!!!!!  Only 2 stores advertised cabbage  - one was .89 and one was .79 - WHAT????  It is normally .49/lb. or .59/lb.!!  This is a common NY dish in this area - so they sure are taking advantage of that.  Grrrrr.
But that wasn't the real problem.............................

Now mind you, Kroger was closed for Christmas, as they should have been.  All I can think, is that they must have been CRAZY busy over the weekend and Monday.  The shelves were bare!  I don't mean stock was a little low - but there was completely empty sections of the store.  Produce was minimal - I would say that department was three quarters empty.  There were empty sections in the meat department and totally empty meat coolers.
Minimal milk and dairy was to be found.
(I wish I had my camera with me)

I have never seen a store look so bad, except when they were going out of business.
I asked two different workers what they heck was going on.
SUPER busy for 3 pre-holiday days and the truck that should have been there early Wednesday was a no show.  Absolutely NO back stock is kept in their store rooms (no stock in back room is now normal).

                                        Part of MY 'personal' grocery - I HAVE back stock!!!!!

They had strip steak, pork loins and corned beef briskets advertised on sale - and there was NOT one  (of any of them)  in the store.  I wasn't going to buy any - but just got curious, so I looked around.
Many people always shop on Wednesday at this store, since it is the first day of sale and you can get your pick of goods.  I can't imagine how many disappointed people there were yesterday.  I was stunned.

It truly was a grim reminder of why we do what we do.  This was a holiday weekend and a late truck.  Think what could happen is it was a natural disaster or a terrorist attack,  and no trucks coming.
I have always thought about these things, but never really saw the effects of the stores being truly empty (well, maybe if they say the SNOW on the news!).  I have always heard that stores would be empty in 3 days if an emergency happened.
It was truly a rude awakening.  It was kind of scary.

So dear friends - try your best to keep stocking up and have a nice surplus (at least 6 months) - because you never know what can cause a run on the grocery store - and then BOOM - THE SHELVES ARE EMPTY!

BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING!

Frugal Happenings 12/23

Happy Sunday to everyone.  It is Christmas Eve - eve!  My goodness the time has just flown by this year.
This past week was quite busy on our home front.  We have had or been to 2 different holiday get togethers.  We have had company twice.  I baked and made candy.  I finished up the small odds and ends for gifting.  This old gal is pooped!!!!!!  It is a good pooped though!
I slept better last night than I have in ages!

We have had 40's just about all week - then it starting getting colder Friday.  We had rain as well - but we did manage to have 4 - 5 days with sunshine!  WONDERFUL!  NO chance of a white Christmas here.
The daylight hours will start getting longer again, for that I am thankful!
Did anyone see that glorious full moon on Saturday night?  It was so pretty.

Last Sunday was a nice meal with my brother and sister (thanks to my sister).  We had a wonderful time telling stories of old!

Yesterday the kids (my niece and 2 nephews) and their families were here.  What a wonderful time that was.  I love when they all come up and spend time.  It doesn't happen often. 
My niece became a Grammy this week!  My gr.gr. nephew Maverick Neal was born 2 weeks earlier than predicted.  Oh he is such a little angel face.  We are all in love.
I have one more visit to make for a short while on Christmas day - then we are done with the holiday events.

My frugal week:

• We got some lovely gifts from brother and sister.  GC from Kroger, home canned goods and cash.

                                   A big Aldi reusable bag full of home canned items!  YUM

• My sister gave me back a quilt I made for her years ago.  She no longer has a bed it fits.  Gosh it is probably 25 years old.  It needs a few repairs - then I think I will use it. (I have been wanting new bedding!)
• Made candy and cookies from items from the pantry

'Mounds' cookies - Oh my goodness - so gooey and good and so easy to make.

 

           Fruit/nut bark and 'sort of ' turtles.  Just a couple things I remembered to take pictures of.

• Sis sent home leftovers from Sunday dinner - I used them and reinvented one for Monday's dinner
• Finished up the small items I needed to get for gifts
• Our menu buffet on Saturday was all from items that we had here at home.  Didn't need to buy anything at all.
• NO grocery shopping this week
• We got so many lovely items from the kids.  I can't begin to mention them all - but a few were 2 handmade super sturdy squirrel feeders (mine is so old), a huge candle (the likes I have never seen before) A beautiful new cutting board, and food, food and more food items.  There are tons of snack items and fancy pastas, oils, vinegars  and mixes - oh my.   We have been blessed beyond measure!!!!!!

OUR BUFFET
6 b. sloppy Joes
BBQ meatballs and little weenies
Cheesy potatoes
Beef stick and various cheeses sliced
Dip and chips
Veggie plate
Lots of sweets
We always have lots of finger foods and easy stuff and folks can eat whenever they feel the desire.
 ************************************

Last weeks meals:
Dinner at sis's
Leftover roast, carrots and made potato cakes with leftover mashed potatoes (all from sis)
Taco salad
Enchiladas
Hamburger goulash
Leftover goulash and green beans
Buffet foods leftover

I hope you are all winding down on cooking and baking.  I pray you all have your shopping done.
I LOVE the holidays, but will be glad when it is all done.  I am ready to just get back to 'normal',  I am looking forward to 2019!

I will not post another blog until Wednesday, however I will be answering any comments.
I wish each and everyone a happy winter solstice, and a very Merry Christmas.
May you and your families make memories to last for years to come, may you each enjoy your family and friends, and may you all stay safe and healthy.

HUGE blessings from our humble home to yours.

Says it all

This little picture just says it all in my opinion.
Many are having a rough time right now - and this is just a gentle reminder of what is important.

I hope you are all making NEW moments to keep share and keep.  Actions today, will be moments and memories tomorrow.

P.S.  I hope all of you are well.  I have been missing some of our posters lately.  You are all in my thoughts.

Re-Crafting - A new concept store

I was pleased to read an article in the Sunday paper about a new store that is just up the road a bit.  This is actually about 6 minutes from me.
I can't wait to go check it out after the holidays.

The store is called Re-craft.
The gal that started it, has traveled a lot, and said she had found similar stores in other states - but none here.  Basically it is donated items that can be sold cheaply to others to use in craft projects.  No waste, no trash, no filling up the landfills.  It basically takes sustainable living one more step up.
I LOVE IT!
It's kind of a thrift store JUST for crafting.

They basically carry it all.  They have fabric, sewing supplies, any needlework items, fine art supplies (paints, beads, scrap booking, art paper, etc.).  Any type of crafting supplies can be donated.
They also have weird stuff like mannequin heads and body parts and wine corks!

To make it more of a community destination there is a sewing machine, an industrial serger, and a screen printing machine that can be rented by the hour or day for a small fee.
She also offers classes on all sorts of things.

This store is just on the outskirts of a very old community, that is suddenly becoming the 'hip' place to live and be again.  Homes are being updated and renovated, and businesses are coming back, and it is becoming a great artsy scene.
**************

I just think this is the coolest concept.  Every community should have something like this.  Perhaps some of our readers can develop something like this in their areas.  It wouldn't have to necessarily be a store - but a gathering place for a community of friends and family  to share and re-use supplies.  Perhaps a garage, a basement, a 'she' shed, or a local building all can get together to rent.  What fun!

I follow some folks on FB that basically have made a lot of extra money this season, by using up odds and ends of fabric to make new things.  We all have ideas on using old clothes (fabric), linens, jars, etc.  into new things.
There are so many ideas available today - just go look at Pinterest for a few minutes.  OK - a few minutes is impossible!  LOL - but just go look!

If we were all more aware of using what we have in new ways, not only are we saving money - we are saving the environment.
I hope that in the new year we can do several posts about new ways to use things.  I hope we can ALL contribute ideas.

Give it a thought and get involved.
RE-CRAFT!

Frugal Happenings 12/16

Good morning.  Can you believe it is just 9 days till Christmas?  WOW.
Today I will be getting together with my sister and brother to celebrate.  Sis will be making a late lunch and we will exchange gifts and OLD STORIES!  The old stories is my favorite part.

Speaking of old stories!  Yep, that is me a couple years ago!!!!  Seeing Santa at Murphey's Department Store was always so exciting.  Such innocence.
***********************

It has finally quit raining and the sun is out.  We look to have sun for a few days this week, which will be greatly appreciated.  Out temps are back in the 40's and staying that way all week.  Nights are chilly, but I will take anything above freezing and sunshine with great pleasure!

It has been pretty quiet around here.  I guess it is just that time of the year.
One would think it would be crazy. 
Here is my frugal week.

• Got the health insurance situation all resolved and settled.  I am good to go (and not a bad price) until the end of next year when I can get Medicare. (Dang that sounds old!)
• Ran to feed store and got well stocked again.  The birdies and the 'fat' squirrels are very grateful!  LOL
• Got to P.O. and got postage and then all cards mailed!  I have enough postage for the next year for cards and letters.
• Worked on Christmas baskets, getting things all arranged
• Tried a new recipe this week - and it's a keeper for sure (had everything here to make it)
• Made dip at home
• Got started on some holiday baking - much to do this coming week
• Ran to Kroger for a couple deals.  Got cheese for .99/8 oz. (we are cheese junkies!).  I also got 2 - 2lb. bags of HUGE peeled shrimp for 5.99 each!!  One will our New Year's ever dinner (every year), and another for later.  (I should have gotten more - but didn't want them to get freezer burnt)
• Just doing all our regular stuff

See very quiet!

Meals this past week:
Sliced ham (from freezer), eggs and toast & jelly
Spaghetti & meat sauce and salad
Subway sandwiches and cookies (FREE with GC) - what a treat!
Cheeseburger pie (new recipe) and salad
Cold sammies and chips/dip
Smoked sausage, kraut, and chunk potatoes all cooked together
Beef franks, mac n cheese and salad
******************************

This coming week I will be making more holiday treats as the 'kids' (niece and nephews) are coming home for Christmas on Saturday.  I can't wait - just never get to see them enough.
So I will be baking and finishing up getting their gifts all together this week.  I make a nice buffet for lunch when they come.  I have one or two more small things to pick up for baskets.

Are you winding down on baking and preparing for the holiday?  Did you get any good deals this past week?
Are you like me and ready to get life back to normal?

Prayers that each and everyone of you are safe, healthy, and free from any harm.  May your hearts be calm and your lives happy.
Blessings from our humble home to yours.

A Loaf is a Loaf

Wintertime is when we all seem to make more sweet or savory breads.  I like to make smaller ones for gifting.  I do that at home sometimes as well, just so we won't be temped to eat too much right off the bat!!!  (I wrap and freeze extras).

It is so easy to make several at a time and put some in reserve.
Do you know how much batter is needed for various size pans?  Me neither.  I usually just kind of wing it and hope I evenly spread it out.
Here is our answer!

Hope this helps you with your yummy winter baking!