Weekly Wrap-Up 4/30

 Happy Sunday to all!  Last day of the month of April - my time flies.  Tomorrow is another new beginning!  Another chance to start again, get things right, and just enjoy.  Please DO enjoy - life is short and it is all so important.

Hope you are all well - missing some of our regulars!  Check in please.

We were all over again with the weather this week.  It has been chilly for much of it - but we did have some nice days too.  We had warm, rain, wind, more rain, frost, chilly days .........  Looks to be a chilly and damp beginning to May here.  One of these days it will warm up and then we will all be complaining about heat!!!!!

I told you all that I was going out to lunch this past week with old friends.  Well, these were gals I started first grade with 62 years ago!!!!!!!!  Even had a teacher show up!  She had to be close to 90 (or over) but was still sharp as a tack and driving.  What a fun day talking about old crushes and crazy things that we did back then.  Oh, it compares NOT ONE BIT to things kids do today - just simple fun. (Like climbing in the hollow tree and lying down on the merry-go-round, melting crayons on the radiators).  LOL

My week:

• Feed store - got some squirrel corn.  I also got some tomato plants while there.  I have been taking them in and out till time to plant.  I grow so few - just figured I would buy.  I got 8 regular plants and 4 grape tomatoes.
• Stopped at super Kroger by feed store.  Got a gift for my gr.gr. niece's birthday party today (she's 2).  Bought fruit and veggies.  I also got a deal on sausage and ham slices.  Found apples, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, baby carrots and broccoli in the .99 bin!!!!!!  WOOHOO

.75 lb. sausage!!!!  Deli-like ham for 2.15 pack.  Plus I now have 2 new storage containers I can use.

• Lunch out - rejuvenated my soul!
• Mowed, trimmed, pulled, and yanked
• Worked in the garage a little - cleaning and organizing
• Drew up some simple plans to take to my nieces today - for a quote to have front (ramp area) redone and landscaped.  I decided I will pay my families' business to do it - this old gal just doesn't want to!!!
• Paid everything I had - including property taxes for the year on both house and property I have.  Also paid for 50th school reunion reservation for this fall.
• Filled my gas tank while out - got a .60/gal. discount using last month's points.
• Talked with several neighbors this week and got to talk to out of town family
• Refilled all soap containers with mix - cleaned the bottles and there was enough soap on the shampoo bottle top itself for one wash and had enough residue on dish soap for a sink of dishes!  Waste not!
• Just doing all the normal stuff

Meals this week:

Long grain/wild rice, meatballs/gravy and salad

Veggie soup (freezer) - added leftover rice

Goulash

Leftover goulash and a salad

Out to eat - Mexican

Poor man Swiss steak and mashed potatoes

Big salad and ham sandwich

SNACKS - fruit

So how was your week?  I sure hope you found a deal or two and had some good things happen.  

I love how you all feel safe sharing your lives here.  This is such a kind group of folks and so caring.  I love how each one reaches out and offers advice, love and prayer for others.  I am thankful to have found you all - or that you found me!

Give us a shout out and let us know what is happening in your area and home.

Prayers you all have a wonderful week - safe and healthy.  

Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.

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The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.

Psalms 28:7

Lord, I give my worries to you.  I know you will keep us in Your loving and protective hands, and that Your will be done.  We often forget Your will - may not be ours.  Help us to make the most of each day and help us each prepare for eternity with You.  Asking for peace and safety for all.  Amen

Let's Talk

 Today is one of those rare days that I am going to be very busy!  I have more lunch plans with old friends - eeekkkk - I am becoming a social butterfly!  LOL - LOL!!!!!!  Twice in one month!

I do joke about the social butterfly - but at least I am finally doing some things with others. 

So today will be another talk day!

Everyone seemed to enjoy that - we did it once before.

So tell us what is on your mind.  

You need to complain - feel free.

You need to share something - feel free.

You sad - maybe we can offer a helping word.

You have happy & good news - share it.

I love that we can talk about anything, and someone always has a kind word to offer.

So, sound off and chat.  I will check in before I leave and then once I am home.

Be KIND!

My Head is Thinking Garden!!!!!

 Yes, my head is thinking about it - SO MUCH!  Still really soon here - as we are still having frosty morns!  I am ready to get out and plant.  I love walking out to the yard and getting 'grow-ceries'!!!!  There is nothing that tastes better to me than a fresh tomato!!!!!!!!!!  My mouth drools just thinking about it.

I know some have started planting - others will be planting after I can.  Just depends on where you live.  Here are a few guides that might help.  WHERE you plant can make a difference.  Some plants just don't get 'along' (kind of like people) - and shouldn't be next to each other.

These come from The Old Farmer's Almanac - for reference.

Also remember, even if you have no yard or live in a place that says no gardening (shame on them) - you can still plant something.

Anything can be used as a planter - it doesn't have to go in the ground and be permanent.  You can use your door stoop - your patio - your veranda - in some cases, even a windowsill!  Herbs grow lovely in a windowsill.

Just try and grow something!  It will taste better and it will save on the grocery budget.

Things to remember for containers:

Make sure it has good drainage!  Holes in the bottom and maybe rocks or gravel in the bottom (I have even used crush cans at the bottom of a pot).

A pot that gives them room to grow and develop roots

Good soil

Feed the plants - since they have limited soil to leach minerals from

Good light

Keep them watered

Make sure they like the plant next to them!!!!!

YES - it will be time sometime SOON!!!!!!  Get your thoughts and plans together.

I hope each of your grow something.  Not only is it tasty and healthy - it is FUN!  We all need a little fun in life.

Have a beautiful day!

Minimalism - Not What You are Thinking!!!

 Minimalism is about living with less.  Well, we all tend to think of our homes and our things when we think of this word.  It can be so much more!  We need to have minimalism in our thoughts and ways as well!!! We sure do.  Our minds and lives are so cluttered, that it is often difficult to have a mindful thought.  This is something we all need to work on.

This part of minimalism has nothing to do with money!

We need a HEALTHY ROUTINE & HABITS

Eat well - food can be our friend in so many ways

No junk food - it does NO good for anyone

Turn things off - unplug!!!!!!  Stop listening and watching the negative

Enjoy the moment - it may be all you get - make it happy and good

Do a nice thing for someone else each day

Live in the present - not the past.  You can't change the past - but you can possibly change today!

Less IS often BETTER!

Learn to say no - be picky of what you choose in your day

Spend each day with the BEST choice

You don't have to cave in to everyone - be mindful

Give yourself QUALITY time - you deserve it!

3 THINGS TO PONDER

True - Necessary - Kind -- These three things are important.  Ask yourself these 3 things about whatever you hear, speak, or do.  IF you answer NO to any of them - then stop and don't speak or do them.

If it isn't true or isn't necessary or isn't kind - it has NO place in your life!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take time to slow down and ponder things and think before acting or speaking.  So many speak harsh words to others these days and think it is OK.  IT IS NOT!  I don't care why you think it is ok - one bad experience does not deserve another.  Be bigger than that.  Do not spread the venom!!!!!!

You can reduce your stress, just by being more mindful.

Stop the negative and give your mind and body more internal space for PEACE and HAPPINESS and JOY.

Stuff happens - many times we cannot stop it.  It isn't always good, it isn't always kind - but it is an experience that helps you grow in some way.

So embrace it - go forward and grow from it.  Be better than you were yesterday and show someone else a gentler way to think and live.

JUST BE HAPPY

Have a blessed day!

Weekly Wrap Up 4/23

 Happy Sunday to all - here we are with a week to go in April and the weather is still iffy many places.  We had some pretty darn wonderful weather this week - one day in 80's - and now we are back to freeze/frost warning for tonight!  Geesh - what a roller coaster.  I guess it could be worse here - as 2 years ago we had snow on the same date that we had 80's this week!

The weather is going to do its thing and nothing we can do.  I had actually read in March that it was predicted to be a very cool April.

My blue jays must be mating or courting.  They are singing some very new songs!  And as they sing, they appear to be 'dancing' to the beat of the song.  It is so cool to watch.  They sing and bounce - all behavior I have not noticed before.  This morning while feeding Blackie, I heard this incredible song - and came out of the greenhouse to see a jay - just singing away.  Usually, they just yell at me to put out peanuts!!!!  Pretty cool.

Today is 4 years since the day my sweetheart went to his heavenly home.  I say this not to get sympathy (I am ok), but to honor this wonderful man and keep his memory forever alive.  He is healthy and can walk, is with so many family and friends, and he is with the Lord - so I am happy for him.

I do miss Glen daily, but I had the blessing of spending over half of my life with this big old bear!  Yep, many thought he was a burly bear - but he was actually a teddy bear.  He was such a kind and caring man.  Opinionated to the max - but kind.  I loved all of it!!!!!

I love and miss him all the time.

Just remember, when you lose someone, if you keep them in your heart and in your conversation - their memory is always alive.  They are always with you - and that is wonderful!

This week:

Not too many different lines to this week - it seems much of the same over and over!!!

• Mowed and trimmed the entire yard
• Pulled weeds and dug and moved stuff
• Yardwork!!!!!!!!!!!!  Galore (on the warm and dry days)
• Got another sheet of address labels from the insurance company
• Stayed out of the stores this week
• Using what I have and cooking from that
• Just doing all the normal stuff we all do!
• No heat for most of week - aired house.  Even though it got in the 80's one day - no AC

Meals this past week:

Beef/rice/cheese burritos

Leftover beef and rice and asparagus

Sausage/egg/cheese bagel (found bagels in freezer), side salad

Bologna and tomato sandwich (yum) and chips

Cheese/beef/bean nachos

Baked potato with leftover beef/beans

Cheesy mac with corned beef chunks (freezer) and salad

How was your week?  I know many got some dreadful snowfall again this week - soon, yes soon!!!!!!  Did you all save any money this week or get any great deals?  Are getting that garden in yet?  Geesh, that is one thing I have really not even thought about.  Guess I best be making a plan.

I pray for each of you, and hope this finds you all well, and safe.  May you have a wonderful week ahead.

Blessing to you and yours from me and my humble little home.

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But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from evil.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

Lord, we thank you for continued and unending love.  No matter what this world brings forth to our lives, we know we have You with us each day.  That is comfort at its best.  Please continue to protect and heal all that are in need.  We thank You for all our many blessings, both large and small.  AMEN

It Isn't Just One Day

 Good morning to all.  I know every year I do a post about Earth Day - but this big old planet is all we got!  I kind of love it and want to take care of it.  IF we all just do a few little things it could help a lot!

Saturday, the 22nd is officially Earth Day.  

I truly don't know why we only bring this to light once a year!  BUT, at least on that one day - it does bring it to the forefront of attention.  It should be a natural thing we do and think about every day!!!!!!

There is not one day a year - literally - that I do not commune with my God at least twice a day in the great outdoors.  Every single morning and evening - I make a conscious effort to pray in the outdoors.  Somehow it just seems natural to be with nature and talk with the creator.

No one person has to do a lot.  A whole lot of simple things can be helpful.  So as this annually celebrated day comes around - please do SOMETHING.

Plant a little something

Take a walk in and pick up some trash

Do not add chemicals to the air/land/or waters

Shop local when possible

Use less fuel and drive a little less

Enjoy as much fresh air as possible

Use natural products for cleaning

JUST DO SOMETHING!

Those maple tree twirlies!  UGH - they make such a mess - but hey, even the squirrels know how to recycle and use what the land offers.  They love the little bean part of these!  They are giving it their all to eat as many as possible!!!!!  They are eating little corn - as they have these for their diet now.  It is amazing that even nature knows how to glean and use what nature provides.

A little encouragement for those still getting snow!  It is coming soon.  Spring will be there soon.

Even these plants add oxygen to the air, they provide nourishment for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.  It is all beneficial.

The peonies are getting tall and starting to set some bloom buds.  As much as I do not like insects - even they need to eat, and they do provide benefits to the earth.  The ants get nourishment from this plant - all natural.  The butterflies and bees love the flowers as well.

All 'natural' and no filters!!!!  EEK!!  After many hours working in the beautiful sun and weather.  Not very attractive - just me!!!!  68 and this is my first ever 'selfie'!!!!!!!  LOL

Even a hard day's work is a good natural element for a great night's sleep!  I slept like a baby last night.

I just encourage each person to do a little something.  It all counts and helps.

This beautiful planet is really something.  I have been watching some documentaries of late about different parts of the world and the eco systems they have.  It is absolutely amazing.  I have watched about the rain forest, the underground, the rivers, even the people who live within nature and try to avoid modern technology.  

This planet is all we have - we need to take care of it.  

Have a wonderful day - enjoy your life.  Do what you can and make a difference.

Life is grand and our earth is a wonderful display of God's work.

BLESSINGS

Food Fun Ideas

 I haven't done many recipes or foody ideas of late.  Today I have a couple things to share.  One is a chart and the other a recipe.  summer will soon be upon us here in north American, and it will be getting hot. (It will - promise!!!)  I know even with AC, I hate to heat up the oven when I don't have to.  I no longer have an outdoor grill (just my G Foreman) - so I will probably use the air fryer more.  Yep, I got it brand new a few years back at a yard sale (probably one of the last I went to) for $10.  It is cumbersome and needs storing most of the time, but it is also handy to have.  It does a good job.  I am going to list a convenient chart on times for various items in the air fryer.  

Click on the picture to enlarge for better reading! 

I have basically only used for fish and chicken so far - but it will be fun to experiment.

OK, I LOVE taco sauce!!!!!  I use it on all Mexican type foods and sometimes on other things.  I love the combination of flavors of refried beans, cheese and taco sauce.  I have made my own for a long time (as well as enchilada sauce), but recently ran out and had to buy some.  Ortega sauce is very similar in taste to the homemade.

Picture provided so everyone knows what I am talking about.

Click on picture to enlarge

This is easy and oh so tasty.  The closest I have found to Ortega.  I get my tomato paste at Aldi - as it is pretty cheap there - but it is a fairly inexpensive ingredients, no matter where you buy.  I use store bought hot sauce - just a little bit.  This is the recipe I have used for a long time.

It sure does taste good, and it makes enough to keep me well supplied, or to give as gifts!

Think a jar of taco sauce, homemade taco seasoning and maybe some homemade tortillas as a gift!!!!!

Enjoy

Last time I was at the store, I saw a new (to me) item.  We have all seen pie crusts that you can buy.  2 rolls of crust in a package.  Well, I saw mini crusts!  There were still two rolls in the pack (same size box) - but there were 2 sheets on mini crusts - 7 on each sheet.  So, 14 mini crusts for things like tarts - at your convenience!  The price wasn't much different.

Pretty nifty!

Zucchini bread and muffins - we have all made it.  It is always sweet!  Well, I have come across a hearty/savory recipe.  YUM.  I think this will be great with any meal.  Definitely going to be on my menu this year.  It is almost zucchini time - so it is wonderful to have new recipes.

SAVORY ZUCCHINI BREAD

Again, click on pic to enlarge for better reading.

Hope you all enjoy these ideas.  It is a beautiful day awakening here - so I will be busy with outdoor activities today.  I hope you all have a great day and ENJOY the recipes!

Blessings to all.