It Takes So Little

I have read a couple things over the past couple of days that has reminded me that it takes so little to make a change, to help another, to live a good life or to live a humble life.
We can all do something.
Yesterday I was reading my horoscope in the paper (for fun) but the words were good.
"It's pretty easy to know when it's time to do the right thing;  it's always now."

Yep, now is always the time.  Why wait?  What will waiting do for any one?  Now is always the right time!
We can each make a difference in our family, communities, state and world.  Little things add up.

I have heard people talk about trying to get frugal and do things more simply, and so many say it is just too hard.  It is easier to go out and eat than to go buy groceries ad then cook.  It is easier to buy what you want now (and even go into debt) than to work hard and save for the future.  Many think they will just let others take care of them later in life.  Many only worry about today - never tomorrow.
"Have patience.  All things are difficult before they become easy."  Anonymous

My goodness, if we never tried anything and failed we would never learn.  Failure is a key to success in my mine opinion.  We try, fail, try, fail...….and eventually we succeed!  Sometimes it only takes once and other times it takes many failures - many mis-steps, many skinned knees - but eventually we get it.  Lessons learned are important.
Once you get it - it becomes a way of life.  It becomes GOOD!

I have also heard so many people say "there is nothing I can do to make a difference".  Well -  nothing becomes something once you speak it,  plan it,  or act on it.  Think about that.
Once there is action - there is SOMETHING!

Sit down and think about what you want changed in your life.  Maybe write those things down.  Then start taking small actions to make them happen.  You can do so much to make a difference.

Let your life be good.  Let your life be special.   Let your life be eventful.
Make a difference - big or small.  It is all part of what makes the world go round.  We are EACH part of what makes the world go round!

BE THAT ONE TODAY

Weekly Wrap-Up 5/31

Happy Sunday to you all.  Hope you have had a great week.
Memorial Day weekend was pretty uneventful.  I just worked in the yard and garden.  The neighborhood was pretty darn quiet as well.
It is crazy to think today is the end of May.  My goodness.
The weekly weather has been pretty darn good.  We had many warm/hot days.  Rain.  And now super pleasant days for a while.  It is in the 70's and going to stay that way for a couple days until warming up again and more rain/storms and humidity by mid week.

My week:

• Monday I went out back and got all the bushes trimmed up - 5 big ones
• My first peonies of the season started opening last weekend.  I have picked many bouquets for the house this week.  Oh how I love the smell.
• Dog sat 2 days this week
• Got all the garden planted!!  2 kinds of cukes, 3 kinds of tomatoes (well 4 counting cherry), zucchini and bell peppers.  I already had onion, lettuce and spinach growing.  I planted cucumber seeds on Wednesday and Saturday they were already above ground!!!
• Haven't had to water anything this week - as we have had enough rain
• Got to turn AC off and I am enjoying cool breezes coming in windows
• My neighbor bought me 3 tomatoes at the farm market - my they are tasty
• I had to change out lightbulb in kitchen ceiling light.  WHY do I mention this???  Well, if you have a light attached to a fan - you know.  Take down the globe and clean inside and out.  Then all the fan blades need thoroughly cleaned.  Then you have to clean the base as there are cobwebs.  Then you see cobwebs on the ceiling.  Changing a light bulb was a 45 minute job!!!!!!!  LOL

• Used dehumidifier water in the laundry again
• UGH - dropped my cell phone in the toilet!!!!! (It WAS clean).  I grabbed it quickly, dried off all I could and then covered it in a bowl of rice.  Thank goodness it all worked.  Saved it!
• I ran to Kroger on Friday - mainly just because I wanted to do something other than work in the yard!  I got more bananas and some oranges,  and cat food and I found a few deals.

Cauliflower was .99 markdown.  Seasoned mixed greens were .89 a can (big cans) I got 4.  Fire roasted corn - .99 each I got 2.  Bounce  (80 count free & clear) 1.99.  These will work great for over the winter and will last ages.  I cut in thirds WHEN I use them.  ALL items were in clearance section and I got what was left.

Green beans "chips" on clearance for .99 and nacho flavored corn nuts clearance at .49!  Make for tasty snacks.

• Mowed the grass front to back and did a huge trim job out back.  I really worked on trimming all areas - some hadn't been done this spring.  Still need to do a big trim out front - I need to edge the walks and drive

My meals this week:

Cheeseburger and cauliflower salad (both leftover from night before)

Fried tuna patties and salad

Small pizza (freezer) loaded with everything I had on hand!  

Made myself a plated chef salad

Goulash (from freezer) over corn chips and topped with cheese

Club sandwich and chips

Chopped steak and broc./caul./carrot salad

Plated chef salad - tasty!

How is everyone doing?  What have you been up to?  It seems yard and garden work are on many peoples agendas.  

Do you have big plans for the coming week?

I pray you are all SAFE and HEALTHY.  May your upcoming week be blessed beyond measure.

Go out and smile and be kind - and make someone's day.  YOU can make a difference.

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

Come Roam with Me

I have been having a very nostalgic time of it lately.  Missing Glen and so much of my family.  I started going through pictures and they brought back so many memories.

Years ago Glen and I used to 'wonder' Indiana.  We would go camping with our friends and then we would always take a day or two to just wonder the back roads.  We loved going out and driving and seeing what nature had to offer.
There would be weekends when we didn't camp - that we would just get in the car and take a day trip.  Usually we went south of the city - we just loved the sights.

I have to say another thing we did was go to cemeteries all over the place!  I was doing family research a lot then, but I am just fascinated by cemeteries.  I love the old markers/headstones and all the beautiful sculptures.  I have a thing for angels and would take pictures of lots of angel sculptures.  Back then we didn't have digital cameras and I always figured the people who developed my pics probably thought "what a weird person"!  LOL
Maybe I got this LOVE from my maternal grandma - she would only have her picture taken in a cemetary!!  OK, no I am not that bad.

So today, grab yourself a glass or cup of tea and take a road trip with me.  Just a few pretty pictures.

Fields of gold on the way to Lyons, Indiana (where family lived)

My 'bloomer' shot.  This picture always makes me giggle.  Just driving down the highway and I see these large bloomers blowing in the breeze!  I just had to stop.  I love this pic!!!! (call me crazy)  Such confidence this lady had!

Enlarged and close up.  What an amazing specimen of a bird.

Vulture seen in the tree at Crown Hill Cemetery here in Indianapolis.  Crown Hill is just the most beautiful place.  It is around 555 acres and full of protected nature, trees and plants.  It is basically a place of beauty right in the middle of the city.  So many famous people buried here (Pres. Benjamin Harrison, Dillinger, James Whitcomb Riley....)  There are tons of You Tube videos about the cemetery - if you ever get a chance - check them out.  The history and the nature are just wonderful

Banks of the Muscatatuck River where we camped for years

The inside of the conservatory at Garfield Park - just up the street from our home.  We loved walking through the conservatory looking at all the fantastic exotic plants

A headstone like no other!  Not hard to figure  out what this person did for a living.  This is near Butlerville, IN.  Isn't that just amazing?  The detail was incredable

A very old stone at Crown Hill.  What a beautiful piece of work.  I just love how artistic and personal many of the old stones were

This is an angel at Crown Hill.  This reminds me of the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  It just looks like something that would have been represented in that book/movie based in Savannah, Georgia.  I really love this picture.

Beautiful fall picture of trees in Columbus, Indiana.  They are gorgeous in the fall - the picture doesn't do them justice

This one makes me laugh too.  Little no where - Butlerville, IN.  It appears the locals have a 'group'!! LOL.  Just a small little village along the highway that probably has only a handful of people left - blink and you miss it.  Got to have some fun!!!!!

The view directly across the river from our campsite.  It was just so serene there.

OK that is enough for today.  I used to love the roaming we did.  I need to get more pictures transferred from Glen's old computer to mine.  My goodness, he had 1000's of my pictures saved.
I sure do miss those days.  We had such fun.  Gas was pretty cheap and most times we would take some lunch and drinks with us.  Once in a while we would stop in some little general store in a little burg somewhere and get a loaf of bread and some lunch meat and pickles.  We would go park somewhere along the way with a pretty view and have lunch.
It sure didn't take a lot to make us happy.  No fancy trips - no hotels - no planes - no big money spent.
Just time together looking at all our state had to offer - "wondering" Indiana.  (That used to be our state motto).

Hope you enjoyed some of the sites.  I know they mean nothing to anyone else - but they are pretty and whimsical.
Click on the pictures to enlarge

Thanks for allowing me to reminisce with you!
Have a great day!

Quit Buying It - MAKE IT!!!!!

We are definitely a people of convenience.  We like things easy.  We seem to be spoiled!
When did this happen?  I guess  everyone got busy with family, work, and life in general and BOOM - the advertisers and manufacturers caught on.

They inundate with these simple and easy products - makes life better!  Not really.  There are so many "ingredients" in many of these items that you can not even pronounce - let alone know what it is.  They cost more.  They aren't that healthy.
You know our ancestors were surely of the notion that if you can't pronounce it or know what it is - DON'T eat it!!!!!  Yep, smart!

There are just so many things that we can make at home - for pennies.  Not only does it save money, it also helps the environment (no packaging), it is healthier, and just tastes better.  It may take a few minutes - but we should all go for it.

Things to MAKE at home and NOT buy:

• Shredded cheese - so super easy to do ourselves.  The stuff you buy already shredded has anti-clumping agents added and that stuff isn't natural.  You can shred and freeze for cooking later.  (freeze on a pan then package).

• Cookies, cakes, brownies, sweet breads and all other sweet snacks.  So easy and costs little.  No preservatives or mystery ingredients
• Jams - make freezer jam or refrigerator jam.  You can make with no pectin - fruit and sugar - boil till thickened.  No need for canning
• Pancakes, waffles, and as Diana mentioned in yesterdays replies to post - French toast.  You can add nuts, berries, wheat, granola, anything extra you want.  They are so much tastier.  Great for stocking the freezer.  You can still pop in a toaster to reheat. 
• Biscuits (or scones depending where you are!)  So easy and cheap to make and there is just nothing like the taste of a fresh warm homemade biscuit.

• Soups (all kinds), chili, stews, etc.  Throw whatever you have together and make a tasty hearty soup.  No preservatives like store bought.
• Lettuce, cabbage, carrots, all veggies - chop your own!!!!  It costs more for those bags of pre-chopped items.  It seems to go bad quicker as well
• Hard boiled eggs - I have seen these at the grocery and just shake my head!!!  They are like 2/$3!!  Crazy
• NO take-out coffee.  Make your own at home.  Make it weak, strong  - however you like it.  You can add extras and flavorings.  Soooooo much cheaper from home
• Ice cream sandwiches - use homemade cookies and ice cream.  You can use any flavor ice cream and any type cookie.  Chocolate chip, oatmeal, M&M, chocolate, etc.  Roll in sprinkles or nuts if you want to fancy them up.  Kids and adults alike will LOVE these.

• Flavored water - add fruit juice, herbs (mint or lemon balm), squeeze of lemon, lime or orange, etc.
• Popcorn - easy and just yummy to pop your own (not microwave stuff).  Super cheap to buy a bag of popcorn kernals
• Bread crumbs or croutons - use your own bread or stale bread.  Grind bread or crackers (plain or flavored) for crumbs.  Remember you can also slightly grind oats as well.  Leftover crumbs from chip bags, oh so many ideas.
• Homemade breakfast biscuits or breakfast burritos.  Make up and wrap and freeze.  Pull them out as needed and quickly warm up in microwave (or in a pan or oven).  You can add whatever you want  - eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, cheese - whatever you have.  Sure is cheaper and better for you than McD's.

• Cut your own fruit - those little packs of pre-cut fruit are so stinking expensive.  Last time I looked I saw a small box of watermelon chunks (cut) for 8.99 (there wasn't even a pound)!  I can buy a couple whole watermelons for that (when in season).  Just take a little time and cut your own.
• Do it yourself with meat.  Cut up a whole chicken, buy a loin and cut in chops/roast yourself, cut up your own stew meat, etc.  It is almost always more expensive to buy pre-cut or deboned or skinless.  It isn't that hard to do - it does take practice.  Heck it is your house - it doesn't have to be pretty until you get the hang of it.
• Dressings - so easy to make.  A little oil and a little vinegar (balsamic is good), sugar, herbs, or your own ingredients and milk or buttermilk (make your own).  Add some mustard or flavored mustards, ketchup, pickle juice, mayo - mix stuff together and make your own.    ALSO think about making your own BBQ sauces - ketchup, molasses, Worcestershire, chili sauce, grape jelly (or any flavor), soy sauce...... there is no limit to making a great BBQ

I know not everyone has extra frig or freezer room - but some things are just so much cheaper to make and store for the future.  They taste so much better.

There is just no limit to what we can make ourselves.  Yogurt, brown sugar, tortillas, spice mixes, baking mixes, salsa, guacamole, any types pasta sauces, hummus, powdered sugar...… the list goes on and on.

This doesn't just include food - think cleaning products, soap, crafty items - explore other possibilities.

So get creative and make your own.  Save your money for something you want or for the future instead of spending on expensive and unhealthy items. 

NO LIMITS - SAVES MONEY - HEALTHIER - TASTES BETTER

Cool Yummy Refreshments - For Now and Later

With the weather changing, here in the U.S. - gardens, farm markets and road side stands will be starting up.  It will be a time to get lots of fresh and wonderful produce.  You can also watch for specials at the grocery to get some fun and easy treats - for now and later!!!

FREEZING BERRIES
Berries of all types are so good and healthy.  They make for wonderful desserts and special treats.
Wash your berries and then lay them out on a rimmed cookie sheet (so they don't fall off).  I like to put a piece of parchment paper or wax paper on the bottom first.  Place a layer of berries on the sheet and freeze.  Then add them to freezer bags or food saver bags.
A good way to freeze is in 2 cup increments.  You can munch on the berries frozen, add to smoothies or milkshakes, or thaw and use for pies, cobblers, crisps, etc.

AVOCADO

Did you know you can freeze for later?  Yes you can.  You may find a great deal on avocado - but can't possibly eat them fast enough.  Remove the seed and peel.  Smash up (can use a potato masher) or cube or dice and mix with some lime juice (to prevent browning).  You can use bottled or fresh lime juice.

Add to bags and remove as much air as possible - this is essential!  You can also freeze in ice cube trays and then place in airtight bags as soon as possible.

Great for making quacamole,  or spreading on toast or making any kind of spread.

GRAPES (seedless)

Nothing better than frozen grapes!  They are so refreshing and an absolute treat on a hot day.

I wash my grapes and de-stem.  Dry and freeze on cookie sheets and then add to freezer bags.  Freezing grapes seems to enrich the flavor of them.  Just a tip - these are good to add to a glass of wine for a pretty effect!

BANANAS

We all know that you can freeze bananas that are getting too ripe to use later in sweet bread and for smoothies.  They can be used to make a quick ice cream like dessert as well.

You can also dip bananas in chocolate and lay on a cookie sheet and freeze.  I like to cut the banana into 2 pieces and then add an old popsicle stick first.  Makes eating this frozen treat easier.

The kids will love it!

NOT Freezing - but pasta salad is a great summer treat!
Pasta salads are cool and refreshing on a hot summer day.  You can actually make it into an entire meal.  Add any types of veggies you want (chopped into bite size pieces).  You can add meat as well.  Bite size pieces of chicken, ham, tuna, bacon, etc..
Use your favorite dressings.  I have used ranch, Italian, a combo of the two, thousand island, etc.  You can some blue cheese or whatever you like and have.
There is absolutely no right or wrong way to make pasta salad.  Add anything and everything and have fun with it.  It is some good eating.
Fix a big bowl and you have a cool side or dinner for a few days!

So this summer as your fruit starts ripening or you find a great deal at the store - don't feel you can only get enough for the week.  Stock up and you will be able to enjoy the sweet and lovely taste of summer all year!
ENJOY

Weekly Wrap-Up 5/24

Good morning everyone.  This is the unofficial start of summer here in the U.S..  Memorial Day weekend.
I ask that each of you - whether in America or abroad - take a moment to say a prayer and be thankful for all the men and women who have given ALL for your freedoms.  So many have unselfishly given the ultimate sacrifice.  Just a prayer for them and their families.

Well the temps have finally hit the unofficial summer as well!!  We have had a full range of weather this week.  It went from feeling like March to feeling like July in a couple days!  Crazy.  Yesterday we had an afternoon storm come through here and it was awful!  You could not see the house across the road it was raining so hard and wind, wind, wind.  I have a lake in the backyard again!

I have had a gazillion of those whirly gigs that fall off the maples every where.  You can mow and then the yard is covered in a hour or so.  Finally they have about run their course and now the tulip tree is releasing it's flowers all over the place!  They are every where.

At least they are pretty!  Between stuff falling from the trees and the pollen count being so high - all I can say is ACHOO!
It sure feels like anything but a holiday weekend in our area.  My county (the state capital) still is not fully open.  Can't go in a restaurant (outside only), no getting your hair done yet, many small businesses still closed, limited church, and not much going in the way of family gatherings.
NO 500 MILE RACE!  First time in my life - that it isn't happening on the holiday weekend.  Yes, it has been rained on before and stretched over a few days - but not since WWII has it not happened.  It is rescheduled for August.   So no parades,  no special town parties, no running relays, nothing special.  It sure is different.
We each make our days special.  Make your day or weekend what you want it to be.  We woke up today - so the day is indeed special.

My week:

• Well, I have 110 gallons of water in the rain barrels - IF I ever need it!!!!  LOL  Chances of rain every day for the next week!  Good grief I could have had 5X that if I had more barrels.
• I have used the dehumidifier water in the laundry twice this week
• Cut my hair
• I made a run to the drive up at the bank this week and then went to the greenhouse for plants
• I got some veggie plants and flowers.  
• I made up planters and hanging pots with flowers.  I did a total of 12 and only used about $35 worth of flowers.  Planters and hanging baskets at the greenhouse were selling for $25 and $30+ each - so I saved a small fortune!!!!!
• I have pulled so many stinking weeds.  They just keep growing!!!!!  All the rain sure isn't helping my efforts.  I pulled and pulled and pulled some more!  (oh my aching back)
• I got the garden area all mowed off again and tilled.  It hasn't been tilled since 2018 spring - so it was a JOB!  I worked tilling and tilling one day and then raked and tilled more.  Next day I added all the wood ash I had and then tilled and raked again.  It looks good - just can't get to it to plant!!!!!!!!!!!  It is flooded all around it at the moment.   SIGH!!!

                                My little Mantis tiller.  Works like a charm and just my size!

• I am dog sitting the neighbors dog again this weekend.  He stays home - I just go let him out and feed, water and play with him.
• Made up a bowl a cauliflower salad using what I had on hand.  Enough for a few days
• My brother brought me 2 cherry tomato plants he grew in his greenhouse. (The first I saw any family in person since 2/29!)
• I have made smoothies/shakes a few times this week as a treat 
• Replaced my garden flag and mailbox cover with summer and patriotic ones
• No grocery shopping at all this week
• Did get all the yard mowed and partially trimmed before the downpour yesterday
• No AC yet!  Will probably happen later today for a bit - it will be hot and humid later.  Used heat one morning this week.
• Windows open and ceilings fans  - loving the fresh air (except for the sneezing/allergies)

My menu this past week:

Cube steak, steamed cauliflower/carrots with cheese sauce

Tamale pie (from freezer) and leftover veggies and cheese sauce

Parmesan pasta with peas and chicken tenders

Chicken and fresh veggie roll-up  (used extra chicken tenders)

Tortilla chips with melted cheese and salsa   --  I was too tired to cook anything

Egg/veg/meat omelet round on bagel

Cheeseburger and cauliflower salad

                                            Parmesan pasta with peas and chicken tenders

My omelet round on bagel.  It sure was yummy.  Egg, bell pepper, onion, diced jalapeno beef stick.  It was bigger than the bagel - so I cut to fit and then just ate the rest as is.

How was your week?  Were you able to save any money?  I think it is easier to do now that most people are staying close to home! (Unless shopping on-line - EEK).

Do you have big plans for the coming week?

Stop by and say hello and let us know what is going on around your home.

I hope you all stay safe and healthy.  If you are getting with family for a special day/celebration - stay safe BUT have fun!!!!

Blessings to you all from my humble little home to yours.

 

Keeping Clean - Alternatives

No matter what the conditions of the world - we tend to be a CLEAN society.  We want to keep clean, feel clean and look clean.
There are many alternatives using what you have on hand at home - and they can save you money.  We all like to save $!
CLEAN can cost almost nothing.

The other day in a post I told about how I make foaming hand soap.  It is frugal and uses up all the liquid odds and ends of body wash and hand soap that you have around.  So many times we are gifted (free) body washes that we may not use - this is a great way of toning them down and saving at the time.

You can make your own LIQUID SOAP from bar soap.  It is very easy!!
I have kept dozens of bars of soap around for years.  The only bar soaps I tend to use are the antibacterial/medicated for my face and coal tar soap - which I keep for rashes and poison on the skin (it nips it in the bud!).
So why do I have so much bar soap?  IN CASE!  Once I run out of liquid I can make my own for pennies.  I am NOT adding to the plastic rubbish overload of the world and  I am saving and using what I have.

RECIPE
1 - 4 oz. bar of soap
1/2 gallon water
a big pan
wooden spoon
EXTRAS - OPTIONAL
Vit. E oil (for skin care)
Essential oil (fragrance)
Glycerin (for moisturizing)

Grate or chop your soap.  The smaller the pieces the better.
Boil the water and then add the grated soap.  Stir until melted.  Let it cool and congeal - it can take 12 - 24 hours to congeal.  Stir well and add any extras you want and stir again.  Then use a funnel to fill your own pump bottles.  Leave about an 1" of space and add a bit of water to top off (for consistency).
Store extra in a glass jar in a cool dark place.  That is IT!!!!!!

Here's a bit that I keep on hand, as well as the body washes I receive as gifts.  No excuses to not stay clean here!!!!!  I have gotten all of these on clearance or with coupons for little money or FREE.

BAR soap can be added to a small mesh bag (like a produce bag) and tied to the outside faucet for easy outdoor hand/nail clean-up!
You can do the same thing in the shower for a soap on a rope.  The mesh is good for cleaning and exfoliating as well.
You can use BAR soap for washing dishes in a pinch (as well as the homemade liquid).  This liquid could be used in the laundry as well - just don't add too much.  Years ago I even added a bit of grated soap to my laundry - when out of laundry detergent.
Use as shampoo in a pinch.

MOUTHWASH
Self explanatory!  Not always.  Mouthwash is great for the purpose it was made - BUT it is antiseptic.  It can be used over small skin abrasions, bites and cuts.  Fantastic to have in your medical cabinet!!!!
I sometimes add to my shampoo mixture - it stops any scalp itching and helps heal dry scalp.

I also keep a bottle of salt water in the bathroom.  It is a great gargle for a sore throat or a sore in the mouth - very healing (I like to use Himalayan pink salt, but any is fine). I just use as a mouth rinse.

Salt water is healing in so many matters, as Rose recently reminded me.  In a PINCH you can brush your teeth with salt water as well - if out of toothpaste.

I had a patch of  itchy bumpy skin on my elbow for years (nothing helped) - and after Rose's reminder, I tried the salt water as a rinse.  2X is all it took and that patch is gone and hasn't come back!!!!!

I use it as a rinse on blemishes - basically heals over night.

PEROXIDE

Peroxide is so cleansing.  If you get a cut or scrape use a bit and it truly helps clean and heal.  Mix with water and use as a gargle for a sore throat or strep throat.  My doctor prescribed that for years when I used to get strep.  DON'T swallow (and yes, it tastes nasty) - but it sure works.

BAKING SODA

Can be used as toothpaste.  I do this at least once a week as a whitening agent.  You can make a paste of it and peroxide and get real whitening action.

Baking soda can be used to clean your hair once in a while as well.  

Make a paste of baking soda and water and put on a bee/wasp sting - it relieves the itching and swelling.

Throw some in a cool bath to help relieve sunburn pain.

I truly do not remember where I bought these - but it for body cleansing without water.  Nice alternative (especially if sick in bed)

I buy baby wipes whenever I get a deal.  Not only do I have them if family need them for babies or I can give with a shower gift - but I can use them as well.  We never know when there may a no water situation in our lives - it is nice to have choices!

Just a few more choices and ideas to bounce around.  There are so many alternatives to things we use daily - we just all need to be reminded once in a while.
Lack of money - stock is low - no worries!  Use something else.

I just think back to Grandma and Mom and all the "swaps" they made in everyday life and it all makes sense now.
Nice to know we have options!