Cleaning on my Mind

 I pretty much didn't do anything on NYE and NYD, so I started by catching up yesterday - and the remainder of the week.  In the cleaning mode!!!!!! Must clean something...must clean something....

I am all about keeping things easy and simple.  You all know that!  I also don't like spending a lot of money.  I buy very few cleaning products - I make most of my own cleaners (will do a post later on that).

BUT - that being said, keeping our lives simple, frugal and clean doesn't necessarily mean NOT spending money.  Sometimes we need to spend on a tool or product that makes our lives easier.  That is cool.

I received a product as part of a gift this year that I have to say is WONDERFUL!  I did a quick check to see the price point - not because I care what she spent on me - but so I could report to you.  I have to say, I probably wouldn't have tried it myself at the price point - but I will now, if I ever need to replace.

Has anyone seen these products?  The cloths say microfiber - although they feel nothing like most microfiber.  They feel rather silky.  There is a window cloth and a general cleaning cloth.  The jar is a special cleaner to use on the cloths once a month or so.  In between you simply soak in scalding water.  I

You need NOTHING besides the cloth to clean - no product, no chemicals, just the cloth and water!

I misted the windows (some had steam on them from cooking) and cleaned.  Not a streak or dust particle to be found.  Much cleaner than they have been in ages.  I clean windows often.  I used on mirrors and on my glasses!  Fantastic!

Now I had my doubts about the cleaning cloth.  Water and a cloth to clean grease, dirt, grime, anything(?)  Welp, it worked.  I did my stove top - which had been very neglected the past few weeks and had lots of grimy grease spots (don't judge).  Sparkling!!!! - hot water and cloth only!

If you click on the pictures to enlarge - you will see the grime.  Minimal wiping and just a spritz of hot water and wahla - sparkle.  Made cleaning the stove a snap!

So I am now a believer.

They ranged in price from $33 - $38 online for the 2 cloths (combined).  Not sure about the jar of cleaner.  BUT $38 and never buying a cleaning product again - works for me.  All natural too!  They say they remove bacteria as well.

I took on the inside of the fridge as well.  I cleaned everything and sadly threw away some stuff.  I took all out of the door racks and scrubbed the racks.  There were several partials of this and that - which when I could I combined.  Otherwise they got trashed - just been in there waaaaayyy too long!  (You know that took a lot for me - I don't trash things).

I rearranged and now things look good, and I have room.  Got things together I plan on using this weekend for company (condiments and sides).

Yes, I use towels on some of my frig shelves.  It makes me smile when I open up the frig!  It is just bright and cheery.  It also serves a purpose.  Things often leak or spill and it makes cleaning up a lot easier.  Remove the cloth and launder.  My frig is VERY old!!!  You can see the cheese drawer handle is broken and there are lots of scuff marks on the metal - but it works! (and it is clean and cheery!)

I have a couple shelves that I put towels on.  I have red check, green check and blue checked towels - I got them all as a gift.  You could use pretty towels or even cheery fabric.  Easy to clean and fun to look at.

I love any trick that makes clean up easier.

So, there are a couple tricks to my cleaning in the kitchen.  I like to promote any product that WORKS and makes life easier.  I love the cloths - just my opinion!

Have a lovely day make a little cheer in your home.  Spruce up a place that normally isn't!

Have fun.  Have a great day!

Here it is! Happy 2024 - a New Start for All

 2024 - it is here, and it seemed like just a minute ago, we were saying that about 2023.  We made it - maybe not unscathed - but we made it.

Time to go forward and do what we can to make life the best we can.

On a positive note - we gain 44 minutes of sunlight this month!  It is Leap year - for those that have a birthday/anniversary on Feb. 29th!  Spring is something like 77 days away!  (Mar. 19)

We all get a fresh start on all those things we didn't accomplish last year.  Yeah, you know that happened.

So, it is time to get busy, look ahead, make those lists, get back on the bandwagon, get jiggy with it - whatever way you want to say it.

Let's just do it.

I want to get back to my original mission here.  

Sharing and teaching frugal ways, shortcuts, recipes, easy meals, substitutions, creating, learning, growing, saving..........in all areas of life.

We all have ideas and ways of doing things.  There may be many new folks reading this year - we grow all the time.  I don't always know who is reading, there could be lots of new folks just getting into the simpler and older ways of living.   Wanting to learn how to save a bit here and there.  They need our help and advice.

The "follow" list shows 203 folks.  That amazes me - I remember how I wished I could get 50 (not all that long ago)!  That doesn't show how many are reading.  I check now and then, and we often have 400-600+ people reading EACH post!!!!  That is amazing to me.

We are sharing in ways none of us can really comprehend (surely not me).

I look forward to this new year, as a time to grow and love a bit better.  Much of the world and events thereof, are out of our control.  That is a good reminder of "do not stress over what you cannot control".

All we can do is OUR best, say the NICE things, do the RIGHT thing, and have FAITH.

If we each take care of our little piece of this planet, and care for it and for others - we have done well.

So let us go forward with a new vision.  Let us all learn and share all the GOOD stuff!

I look forward to it all.

I appreciate you all being here and staying by me and helping me grow this little site.  What a gift!

Have a great day and happy 2024.

LET US MAKE IT FUN AND GOOD!

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PS - SAM is giving it another try.  She has a new blog she posted yesterday - called Sam Squared (see my sidebar).  Check it out and encourage her and say hi!

Weekly Wrap Up 12/31

Well gang, we made it!  Here we are on New Year's Eve, the last day of 2023.  It sure did fly by.

I hope you are well and safe and healthy as you read this.  Onward and forward from here.  New year, new plans, new start - here we go!

Hope everyone will let go of the drama and the pain they have in life and embrace joy and happiness instead.  Keep steadfast in faith and look for miracles every day!

I made it through this December with no measurable snowfall.  Very odd occurrence for my area.  We had a very mild December.  Looks like the new year will start much the same.

I saw robins in the yard again toward the end of the week!  It is amazing to me.  I never have robins this late in the year.  

The daylight hours are very slowly starting to increase again - yay!

Last Wednesday was just 3 weeks since the kitties came inside to live.  Two weeks this past Thursday was when Blackie had surgery.  He did a major turnaround on Wednesday!  They said a good 2 weeks for recovery.  He finally decided to come out of his hidey hole (other than when eating & potty).  He has been playing with Lil Bit.  They have really progressed in such a short time.  Bit is growing like a weed. I am so grateful they are inside, and I don't have to worry about their safety and warmth outside!

This past week:

• Monday was brothers for Christmas and family
• Got a lot of foodie gifts and useful gifts and another GC
• Paid everything I had in the house
• Caught up on laundry
• Made grape jelly from my grapes I froze this summer.  4 pints (gifting next weekend) and a bit for me.  (Have enough to make another batch)
• Flea meds on kitties
• Went out to Kroger to get cabbage this week.  .49/lb.  I got a loaf of wheat bread, and a pack of buns on clearance for $1 ea.  Got my rye bread for this coming week (Rueban).  I found a pack of 10 center cut chops on clearance for 5.50 and a doz. donuts for $2.

I froze for now.  These along with a small pork loin will become shredded/pulled pork next weekend when the kids come up.

Did I need?  NO I did not!  But from 6.99 (original price on far right) to 2.00 what a wonderful treat!!  So stinking yummy.  Get the bad habits done before year end - right?  LOL

• Cut my hair - dang it grows fast
• Cut up a big packet of chicken and cooked it all and then froze for future quick protein
• I have my new calendar sitting here by me - need to mark up today with special dates!
• Filled gas tank when out for groceries.  Saved .60/gal. and paid 2.29/gal.

Meals this past week:

Chicken & dumplings (Sweet Sue) and salad

Dinner at brother's house

Homemade pizza

Breaded chicken fillets, seared cauliflower

Small batch of chicken noodle soup - 2X

Hot dogs and fries

How was your Christmas week?  Are you done celebrating?  Or are you like me, and have another celebration coming up?  Any grand plans for NYE tonight?  Me - staying home and will probably be asleep before midnight (as a friend posted yesterday on FB - it will already be NY somewhere!!!!).

Did you do any after Christmas shopping?  I did NONE!

Happy anniversary Cookie.

Whatever you do - please be safe.  People can be crazy out there.  Be responsible and stay cozy and safe.  People (and pets) love you and depend on you.

I hope the celebrations around the world are safe tonight.  I do not have great expectations of that with all the garbage that is going on everywhere - but I pray it stays safe.

I hope you have a glorious start to the year, and a safe and healthy week ahead.  

Blessings to you and yours from my humble little home.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!  Serve the Lord with gladness!  Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord is God!  It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!  Give thanks to him, bless his name!

Psalms 100:1-4

Lord, we thank you for allowing us to get through this past year.  Please be with each of us as we start this new year and journey on this earth.  Guide us and hold us tight in your loving arms.  Help us to be our best person and help others who are in need.  Prayers for peace for the world.  AMEN

The Countdown Begins

 Happy Thursday to all.  Well, the countdown to NYE is here.  We are just a few days away from a new year.  January is generally a dark, cloudy and cold month - who knows this year!  Whatever the weather, I hope we all make it a fresh new start.  This has been a year of sadness, illness, change and inflation.  Here we are - we all made it - though many are different for it all.

I hope all have a new year of joy, love, respect, kindness, growth and financial freedoms.

It is a time to start anew and go forward with a whole new attitude and to dream new dreams.  

I do not do resolutions - I just try to change a few things in my life (an ongoing thing).  

This past year, I finally grew a little and got out more and socialized.  It took me a long time to get to that point.  I am proud of that and have enjoyed it as well.  I have made a lot of connections with people from my past and it was a blast to reconnect.  Decluttering has been a thing, and that continues - it seems it is never ending.

I love the meme above - it says it all.

The new year on the blog will be going back to what my original goal of the blog was.  I want to share creative ideas, recipes, tips and hints and new items that help with life. 

I will be here on NYE with wrap-up (Sunday), but just wanted to say - please have a safe weekend.  I hope you all spend your weekend with those you love and have a quiet and lovely end to this year and a quiet start to the new one.

Spend the next few days reflecting and planning.  You have another chance to do and accomplish your wish list and goals.

THANK YOU all for being here in 2023 and before.  I look forward to the new year.

Take care and have a great day!

Mid-week -- Wednesday

 Happy hump day all.  This week seems all messed up - holidays do that to me.  Oh well, it is what it is!  Have you all calmed down and cleaned up after the holiday crowd left?  I had no mess (not for now), that will come later for me.  I ate somewhere else, so no big cooking mess here either.

I think many will be eating leftovers for a few days - then comes the big cook for New Years.  I plan on making the family (my family) traditional dinner of corned beef, cabbage and black eye peas.  I love it and look forward to having a Rueban sandwich the day after!

Are you still eating the cookies, candy and all the goodies at your house?  I still have some, just trying to spread them out!

Today I am going to make up a bunch of chicken breasts.  They are out and thawed, and I am going to cook them for different applications.  So many ways to use chicken in a meal.  As is, nuggets, strips, soup, casseroles, enchiladas, shredded and BBQ'd, etc.

I think I may get out grapes from the freezer as well this week and make jelly!

I am now in the mode to try to get back to somewhat normal - whatever that is!  I can start now and slowly get into the hang of it for the new year!

January seems to be the month that we all slow down a bit and BREATHE after a hectic holiday season.

It is usually cold and gloomy (who knows this year), and we all tend to hole up for a long winter's nap!

The books, throws and hot chocolate all seem to come out.  Aaahhhhhhhh

Whatever you do today - do it well and happily.  Smile, laugh and just enjoy this day you have been given.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

So the Story Slowly Ends

 Happy Tuesday all.  My days are already mixed up!  I kept thinking yesterday was Sunday!

I hope this finds you well and safe.  I sure hope you all enjoyed your Christmas - however you observed the day.

Many have yet to have their celebrations - but for many, they are done and all that is left is the mess to clean up!  Isn't that picture cute of the pups in the paper?  (not my pic)

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at my brother's house with his little family.  Oh the kiddos!!!!!  So much noise, action and chaos!!!!!!  They just had a ball.

Looked over at little Miles - he had just ripped open a present, mommy took it out of the box - and Miles got in the box and played with a bow!!!!!!  It was hilarious and just goes to show - the littles are happy with about anything.

Layla (who is very shy with others) - grabbed my hand and grammies hand and wanted to play ring around the rosie!  That was her big time!

A good time was had by all and lots of good eats!

I got some very lovely gifts from my niece and nephew.  It warms my heart that they try to find that 'just right' thing for their Auntie!

This week things will be light here. 

I hope you had a great weekend and a lovely time with family.  It looks like there is some nasty weather coming into the area west of here.  Stay safe.  We will be gloomy and chilly this week.  Nothing crazy.

Safe travels to all traveling this week.  Soak up all the holiday time you can and just enjoy the week.

Have a great day!

Weekly Wrap Up 12/24

 Happy Christmas Eve to all!  In just a few hours from now most of the festivities will be a memory.  Some will be celebrating off and all week.  I have my last event of the season on Jan. 7.  It will not be a white Christmas at all here.  It will be a rainy one.  

This morning is damp and very foggy.  It is currently 50*.

I hope you are all well and safe on this holiday weekend.

I have had very few birds in the last couple weeks.  Every now and then there will be a day when they all flock to the feeders, and then days with hardly none.  I do believe there must be a hawk in the area.

The squirrels are all visiting.  

The kitties are doing well.  Blackie is still healing.  After the effects of the anesthesia and the topical pain meds all wore off - he has been rather reclusive and sleeping a lot.  He eats well.  Last night he and I sat for a while together.  He curled up in my lap and we just chilled together!  Bits is a fun and active furball!  Visits to my bed in the evening and early morning are happening now!

This week:

• I delivered some gifts for early celebrations to some family that are spending the holidays out of town
• Paid everything I hand on hand
• Had lunch with many school friends
• Did a lot of gift wrapping
• Ran to the bank and cashed a check I received a couple months back and got my 'allowance' for the next couple months
• I did stop at Kroger for a couple gift cards I still needed.  I found a dinner plate size head of cauliflower for 2.29!  It is lovely.  I ran in there very early on Thursday morning and it was already nuts! 
• I did run up the road from grocery to Shoe Carnaval for a gift card (it was wished for!).  While there, I bought myself 2 gifts!!!!!!  I never buy myself stuff.  I got a replacement for my dressy casual shoes I wear (exact same ones).  I have had mine for many years and they are literally falling apart.  I also got myself a pair of pre-laced no tie tennis shoes that will be for good (not yard).
• I went to a funeral yesterday for an old friend.  He had been sick for a long time and is now at peace.  
• Just doing all the normal stuff

Meals this past week:

Stir fry veggies/chicken over rice

Lunch out - best catfish I have ever had, mac n cheese, fried cauliflower

Scrambled eggs, sausage and toast   - (Lil one loved eggs and big boy loved sausage) 😍

Baked potato topped with cheese and bacon, side salad

Tostada and tacos

Big salad and a sausage sandwich

Potato soup (freezer) and salad

I haven't done a lot of baking yet - I will do more closer to when company will be visiting.  

What fun ways did you spend your week?  Baking?  Visiting?  Relaxing?  Shopping?  Movies?

I know many are already celebrating - so if you are reading - know that I wish you all the best weekend ever.  Love and hold your friends and family close.  Share memories of those not here - it keeps them alive in your heart and memory.

Have a healthy, safe, fun filled week ahead.  Blessings to you and yours from myself and my kitties from our humble little home!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

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And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke2:10-11

Dear Lord, we thank You for the greatest gift and blessing ever given.  May we hold all goodness and kindness in our hearts and live our lives to represent the life of Jesus.  Prayers for peace on this planet for all people.  May love and joy be spread by everyone.  Amen