Weekly Wrap-Up 8/2

Happy first Sunday of August!!!!!  WOW!
It is another gloomy, gray and rainy day here.  The rain is much appreciated.  I think this makes 3 days this week for rain - and they say tomorrow as well.  Temperatures have dropped drastically in the last 24 hours.  90's are gone (for now) - highs in the 70's for a few days!!!!!  YAY!  That is my perfect weather.

It has been a wet week.  It has been a sad week.  It has been a blah week and it has been a disappointing week.  I have to add it has also been a blessed week!  I am alive and well as are my family and friends - so blessed for sure.

*My little dog friend (next door) that I dog sit for - crossed the rainbow bridge Friday.  He had many cancerous tumors and he was losing the use of his legs and wasn't eating or drinking.  I went over to say goodbye and just lost it.  Run free now - Bailey!  I will sure miss that little fellow.

*I learned a lot this week about the people you think you should have been able to trust to be truthful - aren't always.  Just so disappointing.

*I have poison ivy again on my arms!  ICK!   Summer fun - NOT!   It itches so bad.  Using my medicated soap, salt water and ICE is my friend.  That is what gives me the most relief.

*They gray days have really played on me this week.  I guess maybe I get depressed at times and just don't realize it (or want to admit it).
BUT today is a new day!

It has been pretty quiet this week.
My week:

• Picked flowers for the house
• Cut a bunch of chives and chopped and froze
• Cut a bunch of mint.  I cooked down into mint water, added sweetener and cooked a while longer.  Made a mint simple syrup - froze in ice cube trays.  My goodness it is yummy tasting.  It will be great this winter in hot tea or even in ice tea (refreshing)
• I did get myself some new tools.  I got a battery operated weed trimmer and a battery operated hedge trimmer.  Both the same brand and use the same battery.  I have always had to drag a 100' cord around before and this really makes it easy to use ANY time I choose without trouble.  I found a deal that I paid less for both than I would have for one at other places.  I will keep the others just in case I have some tougher jobs ahead.
• Worked on weeding the garden really well - I swear the weeds grow much faster than the veggies
• I have picked 1 zucchini  and several Roma tomatoes and about 8 lbs. of slicing tomatoes.  I also found 3 little cucumber 'balls'!  LOL - They aren't supposed to be balls - I will still use.
• NO GROCERY SHOPPING AT ALL this week
• Doing all the normal - changing bedding, laundry with dehumidifier water added, making Kool-Aid, picking produce, using what I have, opening windows for cool fresh air, eating from home, simple cleaning, etc.
• Changed out my outer bedding - just for a different 'view'
• I received several containers of Bio-Freeze for aching joints for FREE.  My neighbors son received tons at his job and I was gifted many.  Enough to last me the rest of my life!

                                                      Received cream, gel and spray

Meals this past week:

BLT's

Tuna salad on buns, sliced tomatoes

Breakfast - Turkey patty (from freezer), fried eggs, toast and sliced tomato

Ham and cheese sandwich and sliced tomatoes

Zucchini pizza bites

Leftover "bites", cheesy roasted mini bell peppers and sliced tomatoes

Tacos

Zucchini pizza bites - let slices drain on a towel - covered in oil and baked 5 minutes.  Added sauce, pepperoni slice, cheese, chives and a thin slice of Roma tomato.  Bake about 10 more minutes.  (400*)  These were so tasty.  You could put anything you want on top.  Would make a great meat free pizza bite!

So there you go.  The good, the bad, and the ugly!!!!  LOL  That was my week.

How did your week go?  Are any of you canning yet?  I am hoping to start this week maybe.

Did you get any deals?  Just give us a shout out - love hearing from everyone.

I keep each of you in my prayers for health and safety.  Please take care and stay frugal!

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

One of Those Days

Yes indeed - it is one of those days.  No gumption - no oomph - no get up and go - no motivation.....
UGH!
I woke at regular time and it was darker than normal.  Got up and started my day doing all my morning chores - getting all the kitties fed and the then the birds and squirrels.  Then me!
Coogy left me 2 gifts over night that I needed to clean -up  (icky fur balls).

It is a cloudy and rainy day - which we do need.  I am not complaining about that - it just has made me feel blah today.  Coogy was on the bed all comfy under the fan after breakfast - I walked in and he stretched and stretched and showed me his belly.  His stretching is how I feel - good day for the bed!
I go out to p/u empty wet food dishes in the greenhouse and the kitties were chilling out in there, staying out of the rain.  Even Blackie - who has decided this IS where he likes to be!!!  LOL  The girls are tolerating him more every day.  Guess he is now part of my pack!

Heck the squirrels are usually waiting on me when I go out first thing and I didn't see my first one until 9AM.  I guess they didn't want to get up either!

You ever get that way?  Just no gumption to do much.  I don't HAVE to do anything other than feed my babies if I don't want to - but I feel lazy if I don't.
I did go out yesterday and trim the yard and I weeded the garden really well.  Picked some tomatoes and just piddled around.  It was still pretty darn humid and hot (the weathermen lied to us again).  I watered everything really well.
I think this heat really drains me.  Then a dreary morning and listening to the rain and I just feel like napping.  LOL

The song "Rainy Days and Mondays" entered my mind this morning.

On top of that Blogger keeps making changes and I don't like them.  I am not a creature of change.  I hate when they think they know better than you and just automatically change your stuff - FB does that too.  Frustrates me to no end.
My goodness, I am on a grouchy roll!  LOL

**************************
BE POSITIVE:  I am thankful for this new day and the opportunities it may bring forth.  I am thankful for my family, friends, and kitties.  I am thankful for health and safety.  I am thankful for my home and property.  I am thankful for all of you who come and visit every day.  I AM BLESSED!

OK that helped.  I need to move and motivate. 
I think I will get my motor running by vacuuming the house, changing the bed linens, and getting rid of some more paperwork I don't need.
Maybe try a new recipe today and then on to laundry.

I guess I just need to give myself a pep talk once in a while.
You ever have those kind of days?  Surely, I am not the only one.
Be blessed my friends!

Enough - I Think I Am Done

Yes indeed - I think I am done.  I think I am done with major grocery stores!  (What did you think I was going to say?  LOL)
I am finally getting fed up with so much.  We are all fed up with the state of the world - with the state of people (actions) - fed up with shortages and increasing prices...............
OK - I don't want to get into all that stuff, as I am trying to keep this a safe zone.
BUT I am fed up.

Wal-Mart has announced that soon they will have no cashiers.  It will all be self-serve.  NOPE - I am not doing that and then not get a discount - which we won't.  I am not taking someone's job. 

Kroger from what I hear from friends in different regions is now starting to play political and 'agenda' type advertisements over their P.A. system for shoppers to have to hear.   I don't care what it is - that is not the place for it.  NOPE - I don't want to be subjected to that at the store - give me my oldie goldies!

I haven't shopped at Target for almost 3 decades - haven't walked into one.
Meijer - is a once in a while shop -  but I am sure they will follow suit soon.

I have alternatives available.  I am lucky.  I know not everyone does - many communities don't have many options.  I would not expect everyone to feel as I do - this is just me.

I have Aldi - and yes it is a major grocery chain - but so far so good.
I have Fresh Thyme - lots of organic and sells a lot of different things  Yes, it is also a chain, but an option.  They sell many items  like nuts, seeds, grains, etc. in bulk.
I have every type of dollar store there is - in multiples around me.  Again chains. 

Switch things up and try new versions.  Experiment and 'play' with your food.

I also have Waterman's - a family farm located about 10 minutes away and they have a small shop to sell to public.
I have Adrian's a family owned orchard - they sell all kinds of fruit and some veggies
I have the farm market at the park just up the road every Saturday - although it is so busy you can't hardly get in to park
Several communities within 10-20 minute ride have farm markets each week.
There is an farm a few minutes away that sells fresh eggs - I have never stopped, but have noticed the sign many times.

There are many, many ethnic stores that are privately (family) owned in my area.  Countless Hispanic stores and many Asian.  They offer so many food options and new ideas and adventures in food!  They sell basics as well.

I have a German meat market (family owned for decades) just about 7 minutes up the road - they sell beautiful cuts of meat.

I have a garden and I can.
I have the ability and knowledge to make many of the items I buy.  I don't have to buy items to feel complete - I can MAKE them and feel complete.
I love to experiment and make up new dishes and throw all kinds of ingredients together.  Haven't had many failures in that respect.  There are NO rules - have fun.

I am ready to go small.  I want to try an QUIT the major grocery chains.  They need me - I don't necessarily need them.  They want our money and need our money - so do the smaller Mom & Pop shops.  Those little shops and farms - keep your dollars spent right there in your community.  They use it to raise their families and just live.
I KNOW - small places many times charge a little more for things.  I KNOW!

Just me - but I will pay a few cents more for an item and help someone local 'make it' - instead of making  a major corporation and it's CEO's richer!
I see this more important now than ever before.

I am going to really get into working at this.  I am going to make more from scratch.  I am going to try and stay small whenever I can.
I realize there are some things that I will have to buy from  a corporation - preferred pet foods and supplies - being the main thing.

Granted if I see a deal that would just be stupid to miss - I know I will make the occasional trip inside one of these places.
BUT for the most part - I THINK I AM DONE.

I want peace of mind - don't need any more bombardment of 'crap' in my life.  Shoot, I have even stopped reading some blogs and stopped watching some You Tube channels because they have jumped on the 'crap' bandwagon.  Not why I started viewing them.  I turn off the news after the weather.  I do read the paper - that is enough.

I want to HELP my COMMUNITY.
I want to learn to do more for MYSELF.
I want to be as independent as I CAN BE from major corporations.
I just want to be me!

Using What I Have and Making Do

I think we are all trying to use what we have and we all try to figure out how to repair things, and make something out of nothing!
I hate to throw things away - I try my hardest to figure out a use for them.

I don't know if you have ever tried Bragg's Liquid Aminos.  It is basically a natural soy sauce.  Same flavor, same salty taste - no added salt at all.  It is full of minerals and is actually good for you.  We started using years ago in place of regular soy sauce (Glen was on a lower salt diet then).
Before Glen passed we bought a gallon jug of it to refill our smaller bottle with.  The large bottle is just kept in a cool place but is not refrigerated.
I think we paid about $25 for the gallon - now it runs about $35/gallon.  I refill my smaller bottle from it.  I checked my 16 oz. bottle and it had a 4.99 price tag (it is an older bottle).  That would be close to $40 if you bought a gallons worth. 

You might want to look for this and give it a try.  We all like natural products.  It is really good!

I made Panko crumbs last week.  What did I use?  Well, I had a package of sourdough crackers that I had purchased on clearance at Big Lots a long while back.  It cost me .25!!!  As crackers - yuck.  Dry and pretty flavorless.
I put them in the Ninja and broke them down to Panko size - and I mixed in a partial container of Panko.  I will add seasoning when I use.  Waste nothing!!!!

My neighbor gave me a 20 oz. bottle of no sugar Gatorade last week.  I hadn't had any in years.  It was tasty.  I think he said 8 bottles cost him around $6.  I found packets you mix with a 20 oz. water for 2.99 for a 10 pack.  So much cheaper and less waste and trash.
Even better - I got my recipe out - to make my own.

I got the packets to give my neighbor for being nice.

1 pack of unsweetened Kool-Aid (any flavor)
1/2 C sugar or sweetener
1/2 tsp, salt
1/2 C orange juice (you can use lemon juice or lime - whatever you have)
Mix and chill. 
That sure is a lot cheaper than buying bottles at the store!  You know what is in it as well.

I fixed my flip flops last week.  They are a solid formed flip-flop.  They are sturdy made and very comfortable.  The strap finally broke through (after maybe 3 or 4 yrs.).  I am not ready to throw them out, so I repaired!!
They aren't sold very many places here - (Menard's is where I always find them) and I haven't been to the places that sell them in ages.

The white area is super glue that has dried.  The bond is super tough!  It worked and I have my shoes for a while longer.  I have been wearing daily and doing yard work in them for a good week now!!  Color me happy!

I have decided since we are back to state wide mandatory face masks AGAIN - I need to make a few.  I am going to use some vintage looking hankies I have here.  I have nice material for lining.  I will show you once I get them done.  Why not make them pretty and use something I have on hand right here. 

So there you have my weekly list of making do and using what I have on hand.
Have you done anything to 'use it up or make it do' lately???

We all are looking for all the ideas we can get any more!
Give us what you got!

Weekly Wrap-Up 7/26

Happy Sunday everyone.  Hope you all had a good week.
It has been very humid again this week.  I truly could stand the temps if the humidity wasn't so bad.  We did get a couple of rains which was helpful
Next week appears to cool to mid 80's and they SAY the humidity is going to drop.  That sounds sounds wonderful - but also predicting chances of rain several days.

The daylight of morning is coming a bit later now, and the darkness of evening is coming a bit sooner as well.  The birds and squirrels  are really eating a lot too.  Hmmmm - I wonder if that means an early fall?

Been kind of quiet this week.  My brother had to have surgery on his ear this week and thankfully it all went well.  Hope it takes care of the problem he was having, as it was pretty serious.  Sadly, none of us could go the hospital (only SIL was allowed).  But it went well, and he came home the same day.  Blessed.

My week:

• Wanted something sweet and made a butter cake - still have some in frig
• Renewed library books on-line
• Repaired my flip-flops.  Hopefully I get through at this this year with them
• Made Panko bread crumbs
• Did laundry and used dehumidifier water
• Used rain barrel water - when watering plants between rains
• Mowed the yard - good golly Miss Molly it was HOT!  I looked like a beet and felt like a drowned rat.  UGH
• Did some flower bed cleaning in the cool of the morning.  Had to get all those lilly  stems out and down.  Looks much better
• Picked a couple (almost) ripe tomatoes.  No new zucchini this week - they are blooming again!
• Made a gallon of Kool-Aid
• Made 12 egg rolls - ate some and froze some
• A neighbor gave me a bottle of sugar free Gator-aide after I mowed.  Boy did that hit the spot - after 2 bottles of ice cold water!!!
• Call me crazy - but I did more deep pantry stocking this week.  Nothing I need now - but I will at some point and I will have it.  I got more TP, cat litter, cat food, trash bags, blue dawn (huge bottle), dried onion flakes and yeast.  Kroger had lots of yeast and although I have plenty in the freezer, I got more - as it may help family as well.

 I am just trying to get prepared for whatever may come down the pike.  I have no real need for anything at the moment - but whatever I can add (especially at a decent price) I will add.  None of what I bought will go bad - so I will be prepared or be able to help someone else.

Meals this week:

Leftover zucchini fritters and  a hamburger patty

Zesty chicken bowl (like Taco Bell used to have) chicken pcs., salsa rice, refried beans, jalapeno 

Egg roll bowl

Taco bowl - taco meat, salsa rice, refried beans - toppings

Egg rolls (baked)

Loaded cheese burgers

small pizza (used leftover taco meat)

Seems like I had a theme going this week with 'bowl' dinners.  So simple and easy clean-up!

 

Egg roll bowl - used leftover mixture to make egg rolls later in the week.

Taco bowl - refried on bottom, salsa rice,  taco meat, cheese and toppings

Zesty chicken bowl - refried beans, salsa rice, chopped jalapeno, chicken chunks, chips & cheese

I did eat a tomato from the garden that had ripened totally in the house - oh YUM.  

Just trying to clean and de-clutter more.  Too hot to be outside much.

What have you been up too?  Give us a shout out.  Look forward to hearing from everyone!!!!

Stay well, cool and safe this week.  Please count your blessings and not your problems!  You will feel better if you do.

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

Sanitize Safely

It seems everyone is sanitizing all the time now.  I am not much on using hand sanitizer - I use it now and then - but I use a lot of antibacterial wipes.  They are my go to.  I have them in the car, in my purse, on my counter - just about every where. 
Most stores have now put out spray and paper towels to clean the carts with - that spray is nasty stuff.  I am not sure what they are using, but it really irritates my skin and have heard of children that have gotten 'burns' of sorts from it.  I won't use it!!!  I take my wipes with me and use them.
I have so many people say 'why didn't I think of that'. 

You need to be safe while sanitizing.  Know what you are allergic or sensitive to.  Use what works for you and your family.

PLEASE be aware of what you are using and DO NOT mix items - it can be deadly.

I don't even buy bleach any more.  I use peroxide in my laundry to whiten.  I use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning, I keep alcohol to mix with Aloe Vera for hand sanitizer.  Bleach truly isn't necessary.

Sanitize and kill all the germies - but stay safe.  Don't let the remedy be worse than the problem!
DO NOT MIX PRODUCTS

**Also remember to keep all these products put away from children's reach and keep them away from your pets.

STAY SAFE

Versatile and Easily Camouflaged

What could that be?  ZUCCHINI  (courgette)
These have to be the most versatile veggie out there.  You can make anything with them from sweets to savory.
They can be easily camouflaged into meals or dishes to add vitamins and healthiness and no one will be the wiser!  So many people say they don't like zucchini.  WHAT isn't to like????  It takes on the flavor of whatever it is cooked with - so the flavor is ever changing.

I love breaded and fried zucchini slices or spears.  They do develop a taste all their own.  YUM
I told you over the weekend that I did 'refrigerator' pickles and faux jalapeno with zucchini.  Super easy

I save ALL of my pickle juice always.  The sweeter juice can be used in dressing or over veggies and dill juice can be used for seasoning - but mostly I like to drink it.  So I always have plenty.  Two quart jars of dill 'pickles' went in the frig to sit for a while to absorb all that dill goodness.  I will use in salads and such or just for eating.
They bottom pic is a half gallon jar of jalapenos I had.  Added chopped zucchini to that to absorb that heat and goodness.  Again, will use in salads, add to cooking and use in any way I would jalapenos.

There are so many yummy recipes out there for zucchini.  I have made so many things with them.

I have canned faux pineapple
Shredded and used in simple jelly recipes to make 'jam'
Stir fry of all types
Add to soups and stews (fresh and frozen)
I have dehydrated
I like to slice/spear and bread - lay on a pan and freeze.  Bag and you can have fried zucchini all winter (do the same with green tomatoes) - make sure you add to oil frozen to prevent them from going mush!
I add them raw to salads - great in pasta salads or with tomato and onion and dressing
I make zoodles (instead of spaghetti) and thinly slice and use in lasagna
I have made 'apple' pies using zucchini instead of apples
Of course there is bread, muffins, and cakes and cookies
I love zucchini boats

You can stuff them like you would bell peppers, you can add spaghetti sauce, meat, cheese, or you can make a mixture of cheeses and jalapenos (I use cream cheese, sour cream and cheddar & jalapeno).  Bake them and enjoy the yumminess.

Zucchini can be used in so many ways with or without meat.  I think they make a great substitute for meat and many vegetarians  use a lot of zucchini.
I like to grate and add to ground turkey or pork or beef.  Great extender and adds vitamins.
You can make 'meat' balls  with just zucchini and no meat.
Zucchini fritters are yummy - I made last week and they were dinner!  No meat one day - just wonderfully tasty fritters.

Easy Zucchini Meatballs
3 medium zucchini - grated and 'juiced'  (remove liquid)
1/2 tsp. salt, 1.4 tsp. pepper
2 cloves garlic
basil to taste
1 egg - slightly beaten
1 C Panko breadcrumbs
1/4 C Parmesan cheese
Mix zucchini pulp and other ingredients together and form into small balls.  Place on a parchment lined baking pan and freeze for 1/2 - 1 hour (turn halfway through).
Fry in oil or bake in a 350* oven until done.  Serve with marinara sauce.

Most of us grate zucchini and measure and freeze for future bread and muffins.  IF you have someone who isn't thrilled about seeing ANY zucchini particles in their goodies - here is another idea.
Just blend up the zucchini completely - milk it - it will be a thick liquid.  Measure and freeze as normal - and use the entire amount in your recipe.  Makes it easy to add a healthy ingredient to any cake or muffins or bread recipe  or ANY recipe (use instead of water).

There are just no limits to using this very versatile ingredient.  Your imagination in your only limitation.
I have a recipe book of 500 recipes using zucchini!!!!!  It is many years old and not in production any more (sadly).  Granted many recipes are versions of the same - but there are so many good ideas.

Zucchini is a veggie that grows and produces profusely.  It is amazing how much product you can get from 1 seed!
Remember that it takes on the flavor of anything that it is cooked with - so can be used in many, many ways.
Adds nutrients and vitamins to your meals.
So versatile and easy to use.
ENJOY