The Changing of the Seasons - for People!

 Midweek already!  Hello to all and hoping this finds you well.  It is a lovely morning.  I am sleepy - didn't sleep well last night for some reason.  I had a couple walks, got yard work done, other things done and no nap yesterday - so should have slept well.  Nope.

It will get a little warmer today (85), so may need the AC late in the day.  It looks like we will get rain over night - very much needed.  Things are dry and it is dusty.

I think sometimes we all come into a new season of life, for various reasons.  It could be anything that causes it - sometimes we just get tired!  As the outside seasons change - we change as well.  I am ready for a bit of a change for me.

I really life a simple and calm life - but I hate having to hurry and stress about things.  I just like peace and quiet!

Come fall, yes there are many things to get done outside and things to finish up before it gets too cold.  Canning, gardening, raking, mowing, decluttering, etc.  I am not going to stress over it this year.  What gets done, gets done.  I find that I have slowed a lot over the years - maybe that is intentional or maybe it is just listening to my body.  What I did in a few hours many years ago, now I spread over a day or two.

You know what?  That is OK!!!!!!

I love this poem.  It is so true for me.  My quiet morning walks, seeing how things in nature are changing.  My porch sits.  The breeze coming in the window and watching my kitty enjoy it.  A snuggle from my kitty.  A good bite of food.  Flowers in a vase.  Looking at the room when you finished cleaning and smiling.  The smell of a yummy candle.  Reading a book that I enjoy.  Watching nature.  My wonderful garden and being able to go out and pick 'grow'ceries.  Great neighbors.  Good friends.  Family.

I could go on and on.  These all seem like simple things to many people, and they are - but they give me so much joy.

I have always enjoyed these things, but in the past there were other joys.  Just spending time with my hubby was a tremendous joy - we laughed and talked and shared so much.  Yes, I miss that so much - but things changed.  Now I have a different season in my life, and I need to make the most of it.  We all should as life changes.  It isn't easy - but it is life.  It took me quite a while, to find myself again.  I think I am still discovering ME.  

I hope you each try to discover new things.  Let yourself explore and learn, no matter your age.  It makes life interesting.  Enjoy every moment.  And please remember - it is perfectly FINE to go slower and just smell the flowers and feel the breeze and take the nap!

As you go into a new season of your life - make it good.

Make September a time of change for a lovely, slower life.

Have a super day and breathe in all the goodness!

New Month, New Week Chat

 Hello all and happy September!  It just doesn't seem possible.  No pumpkin spice month for me!  I am not a pumpkin spice kind of gal - unless it is a candle!!  I am messed up on days again - no surprise.  You would think being retired it would make no difference.  Yet, the neighbors being home from work, just messes me up!  LOL

It is a lovely morning again.  Cool and clear.  The past couple days the skies have been so blue and clear and the weather has been perfect.  Everything is still very green.

I have been out and fed the birds, squirrels and Licorice.  Walked out to the garden to look, and well, Chuck (groundhog) was in the garden, eating a tomato.  Grrrrr.  I guess it is trying to get all it needs for winter hibernation.  It still lives across the alley, but right now my best efforts aren't working on keeping it at bay.  The cat could care less if it sees it.  This morning, I finally ran it off, over the fence and back to the hidey hole!  They sure can climb!!!  I threw the tomato he was eating across the alley.  Generally, he eats clover and flowers and certain greenery - I suppose he is stocking up for winter too!

I guess I shouldn't complain, as I have plenty, but still!

This weekend, each day, after walks, I sat out on the porch for a while.  I did that a couple times each day.  I sat out there and read a lot yesterday.

It sure took me back about 60+ years.  It was so quiet, the breeze was nice, the sky blue and just so relaxing.  I thought about sitting on the porch swing at mom and daddies on Sundays.  I remember coming home from Sunday school or Church and setting out there until mid-day dinner was done.  Waiting for company to show up - there was always company on Sunday noon meal.  Watching for cars to go by, there were hardly any.  Listening to the birds and petting my kitty (who always got on the swing with me).  Just the lazy days of summer.  Lots of memories this weekend.

Yesterday on my walk, I talked with a gal down the street, and she was talking about how she wished life was simple again.  Mine kind of is.  Being retired, I can do what I want, when I want, or NOT if I want!  I like that kind of simple living.

I sure miss my long-ago home.

The hummingbirds are just so very, very active.  I bet it won't be long before they take off for the south.  They just drink and drink and come many, many times an hour.  Haven't seen them active all summer.

That makes me sad, I sure do appreciate those tiny little treasures.

I mentioned Sunday, about picking lots more tomatoes last week.  I forgot to tell you about the jumbo tomato I got!  Its weight - 1 lb. and 11 oz.!!!!!  Oh my gosh - I am just awestruck!  This has sure been a good year for tomatoes in my area.

                                              That is it on a dinner plate!  It is so huge.

I really have had a great year for tomatoes!  Blessed for sure.  I have given so many away, I have been canning and EATING every single day!!!!!!!  

I have 3 or 4 more out there (green) that are close to this size.  So many green tomatoes out there.

OK, guys, I saw my first Christmas commercial on Friday evening!  YEP!!!!

It was a holiday commercial for Disney World.  So, the onslaught has started - there will be more and more now that we are in September.

I haven't watched Hallmark in years, but I notice on the cable guide that just about all they show is holiday movies - all year long!  What is with that?  There is a time for that, and all year isn't it in my opinion. 

We just aren't allowed to enjoy the various holidays and seasons anymore.  It seems everything is rushed.  I like to celebrate the fall, with apples and pumpkins and mums.  Then I want to enjoy and celebrate Thanksgiving in all its glory - THEN Christmas.

Sure, I think about Christmas, and I know many of us are already working on gifts and ideas.  I even share ideas on here early in the seasons, as many make things ahead.  I know.  But as far as decorations and such, I just want each thing to have its time.  I guess I am out of it today!

OK, that is my morning chat.  I am going to go walk a bit and enjoy this morning, then I have much to do around here.

I hope you have a wonderful month ahead and get to enjoy September and all its beauty.

Have a super enjoyable day!

Weekly Wrap Up 8/31

 Hello to all.  Good-bye to August!  Yes, here we are saying so long to another month.  Tomorrow is September and the unofficial beginning to fall for many.  Some will be starting their spring in the down under.  It may feel like fall this next week, but I am sure it will warm once again.  Goodness, time is just floating by.  Tomorrow is Labor Day and there will be a lot of picnics and end of summer fun.  Less than 4 months until Christmas and then the end of the year!!

Until then, I am going to enjoy as much lovely weather as can be.

Thursday, we had a little rain - a nice little shower and no watering was needed.  The live forever (sedum) have started blooming and they are feeding all the bees and butterflies!  Yesterday evening I saw 3 hummingbirds at one of my feeders at the same time.  I know many have that happen, but I have never seen it here.  Usually, they chase each other off!  What a treat.

My frugal week:

• I cleaned and cleared a lot out of the front flower beds
• Cut back my 3 climbing rose bushes
• Did a lot of mending
• Cut back more stuff from neighbor's yard - growing at my fence and through it (no mowing this week!)
• Did a LOT of walks this week - sometimes at least 2X a day (or more)
• Picked a bunch of produce again - about 35 lbs. of tomatoes and more peppers.  Shared a bunch.  Seems with cooler weather and cloudy days tomatoes have slowed a bit.  There are tons of green toms hanging out there.
• Had an old friend from my workdays stop by.  We caught up and talked a lot.  His wife was one of my best friends for years until her passing several years back.
• Cut a couple roses for inside
• CANNING - did 2 big batches of salsa and canned, and also a quart of peppers
• Did go out once to fill gas tank (needed 1/4 tank) for the month and get my discount (.40/gal)
• NO grocery or other shopping
• A neighbor brought me homemade zucchini bread - it was soooooo good
• I had juice from tomatoes from canning (wanted salsa thicker) and I added a little salt and drank it
• I had some older milk to use, so I made pudding
• I was gifted more cukes
• I made a big fresh salad using all kinds of veggies to eat for a few days
• Got to air the house - NO AC for many days now!
• I did put out my fall door wreaths - sunflowers and pretty leaves

one at each door

• Moved some things around in the house - putting away and in different rooms - just clearing up space
• Meals from home and using what I have

Meals this past week:

Cube steak, mashed potatoes (flavored w/ranch) and tom & cuke salad

Potato/corn cakes and cuke & tomatoes

Jalapeno/cheeseburger, fried corn & onion, sliced tomatoes

Tuna/broccoli mac & cheese, cukes & toms

Super veggie/shaved ham sandwich 

Pintos over rice, salad

Chicken sandwich, small potato into fries, and salad

SNACKS - fruit, lots of veggies, pudding and zucchini bread

Just a nice quiet week here.  I did get things accomplished and have plenty to do yet.  More canning is in store.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the cooler days and took advantage when I could.

It seems that there is much to do as fall approaches.  Cleaning, cooking, clearing and gardening.

How has your week been?  Did you get any fun things done?  Any deals?  What is the weather like in your area?

I hope you all have a pleasant week ahead and enjoy your holiday and stay safe.  Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

**********************

...be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.  See that none of you repays evil with evil but always seek to do good to one another and to all.

1Thessalonians 4:13-15

Lord, we come to you this week in thanks for all our blessings, and to ask you protections over all of us.  Help us each one to love, forgive and honor all others in some special way.  We ask for peace and love and health for everyone.  Amen

Making the Subs

 Hello all.  Hope you are all well this Thursday.  It is another cool morning here, and pretty cloudy.  It looks and feels like fall - but summer will be back, so no worries.

I woke up on time this morning, and the bed felt so good that I fell back to sleep!  I got up about 20 minutes later than normal - I always feel rushed when I do that.  Like what schedule do I have to meet?  LOL

Today is a bit about doing the substitutions we keep talking about.  They are easy, use what you have, and keeps you from making a special trip to the store.  Hope you get an idea you can use.

BUTTERMILK (not for drinking)

This is for using in a recipe

1 C milk

1 Tbsp. lemon juice or white vinegar

Let it stand 5-10 minutes then use in your recipe

**You can also buy buttermilk powder in the baking aisle.  I always have this on hand - it lasts a long time.  It just mixes w/water.

HEAVY CREAM

2/3 C whole milk

1/3 C melted unsalted butter

Mix together and use as cream in baking (doesn't whip)

POWDERED SUGAR

1 C regular sugar

Place in a blender and pulse until powdered

1 Egg = 3 Tbsp. mayo

Use Applesauce for 1/2 of oil in a baking recipe

Unsweetened chocolate 1 oz. - 3 Tbsp. cocoa plus 1 Tbsp shortening or oil

Colored sugar for decorating = sugar and food coloring.  Use color you want and stir until thoroughly mixed with sugar.  Works perfectly - I do this all the time

CREAM CHEESE - use full fat cottage cheese and pulse in blender until smooth.  It won't taste like cottage cheese.  Great for recipes

BROWN SUGAR - 1 C sugar w/ 2 Tbsp. molasses added - stir until blended - (light)

add 4 Tbsp. to 1 C for (dark)

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SHELL

How fun!  This stuff is expensive for a very small bottle - make it yourself.  

EVAPORATED MILK

1/3 C nonfat dry milk

6 Tbsp. water

SELF RISING FLOUR

I always buy all-purpose flour - no worries about the leavening agent going bad over time

Easy way to make self-rising

1 C all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

You can do the same with cake flour as well if you want it self-rising

LEMON ZEST

1 tsp. of zest = 1/2 tsp. lemon extract

1 tsp. zest = 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Just a few ideas to save a little money and time.  In the middle of a recipe, you hate to see you are out of something - this saves you a trip out.  Hope you find an idea you can use!

It will be a long holiday weekend here in the states.  Labor Day.  As it is cooler in many places, I hope you get your projects done and your get togethers are fun.  Stay safe!!!

Hope you Arizona gals are OK - those dust storms looked horrible!  Hope all are safe from the fires as well.

Have a great weekend.

Blessings to all.

Intentional and Simple

 Hello all - I surely hope this finds you all well on this last Wednesday of August!  Amazing, isn't it?  This month has just flown by.  It is a cool morning in the 50's here.  I actually put on a long sleeve t-shirt this morning.  Still have the flip-flops on though!  LOL

It sure is nice to have the AC off and the windows open.  Bitsy is loving the window sitting!  He goes from window to window following birds and Licorice the outdoor cat.  His fur feels even softer the past couple days - the fresh air must be good for him (and me).

This is the truth!  At least it was when I was coming up in the world.  Nothing was just given to us - we worked for what we wanted and worked hard and saved.  It made getting 'whatever' a much bigger thrill.

I was raised with that mentality.  I think many of us of a certain generation were.

Living an intentional life has so much going for it.  What does that mean?  It means making a conscious choice about spending.  It means under consuming.  It means being a good steward of what you do have.  It means being a bit more frugal.  It means getting the biggest bang for your buck.  Buying quality not quantity.

It is a mindset!!

I know many think being frugal is for the poor.  Nope.  It is for all.  The rich and the poor and in between.  It is something everyone can do.

From finding new ways to use the leftovers, to fixing the things you have, to watching the sales and clearance, to turning off the lights and water, it includes it all.  

Simple living means being content and accepting and loving what you have.  Using things to the fullest, and not rushing out to buy the latest, shiniest and biggest new thing.  It truly means LESS stress and anxiety.

"Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like."  Will Rogers

Isn't that the truth?  I see it every single day.  

When you start spending what you don't have, you are always going to be a huge step or stairway behind!  Sure, a mortgage or financing a vehicle, are both ways of spending what we haven't earned yet.  A home is an investment, and a vehicle is often a necessity.  But just buying stuff on credit, is a huge red flag.  IF you use credit, make sure you use it wisely and that you can pay it off every month.

Remember - it isn't just about money.  It is about quality of life and having CONTROL of your life.  It is about feeling good about yourself.  It is about being more sustainable, being concerned for the environment, and keeping a happy and healthy home.

It is about beating the rising costs, unmoving wages, and inflation.

It is about peace of mind.

Do more with less.  Have more wisdom, joy and beauty in your life.

Peace of mind is priceless!!!!!

Have a beautiful day my friends.

Don't Stress - Eating on the Cheap! (it can be done)

 Hello all - hope you are all well and safe!  

It is a cool morning here!  Haven't said that in a while.  58*F right now.  I have had the AC off since Sunday and yesterday, the house never even got to the temp that the AC would have been!  Amazing, how a couple days can make such a difference.  Loving this.  Hope you are cooling a bit too.

Today just a few ideas for those times when you are broke, or just tired, or need to stretch the budget and the pantry a little further for whatever reason.  I know many of the regular that comment, are doing just fine, but there are many who read and don't comment and they may need some help or ideas.

We are here to help out.

Whether snacks, breakfast, lunches, or a quick and easy and inexpensive dinner - here are a few ideas.  Just remember (especially for yourself) you don't have to have a lot of things at one meal.  I eat simple, and most often have one good meal a day - and I am healthy, have energy and feel good.

If you have garden produce, you have several things that you make and eat.  It doesn't have to be traditional; you don't have to have 'breakfast' foods at breakfast anymore!

Core the insides of a tomato (saving the insides for salad) - and stuff with tuna salad or some other type of salad or cottage cheese.  Super healthy and tasty.  Can stuff peppers or banana peppers as well.  Scoop seeds from a cucumber and place some tune salad in that cored out spot.  YUM

Rice is a good meal idea - yes meal!  G used to love rice for breakfast or lunch served hot with butter and sugar on top - or a drizzle of honey.

Cottage cheese served with fruit or tomato - he loved that too.  You could add Jello to cottage cheese as well - super inexpensive and easy.

Melts are easy and cheap.  Add cheese, or meat or both and whatever else you want.  Fold over and grill on each side for a hot treat!  I have done this for dinner many times and add a little salad or a veggie on the side.

An open face sandwich with anything you have on top!  You toast the bread, then add some cream cheese (if you have) or peanut butter and top with any variety of goodies.  Hearty and healthy.

Of course there are the old standbys of oatmeal, or your basic beans and rice and potatoes.  Never overlook the old-time healthy eats!  All are inexpensive to make.  Top the oatmeal with whatever you like or have on hand.

GRAVY - white gravy or country gravy as many call it - is about as easy and cheap as you can get for a tasty meal!!!!  You can use it over biscuits, toast, bagels, whatever you got.  You can toast old buns or any kind of bread.  You can add chipped beef, sausage or even ground beef if desired.  Add whatever meat you have (leftover) - and you have a very cheap and hearty and filling meal!!!!!

Polenta or mush as many call it - is so easy.  I know the sound of 'mush' isn't appetizing to many.  I like it fried!!!  It is MUCH better that way.  This recipe is sooooooo easy and can easily be halved.  I make it up and place in a loaf pan and refrigerate until firm - then slice and fry in butter or bacon grease until golden on each side and it really is tasty!  Pretty darn cheap.

Here you go Mary.  You can have the taste of restaurant at home, make your own!!!!  So easy.

Fried eggs and potatoes together - add a side or toast if you choose.  This was dinner one day for me - very good and healthy!

Leftover mashed potatoes?  Make potato cakes the next day.  Super easy and very tasty.  I have them in a dinner, but they would be great for breakfast or lunch.  Add in other things if you desire.  No leftover mashed potatoes - you can even use made up instant potatoes (got a little packet laying around?).  Super easy and inexpensive and a use it up idea.

(click on recipe to enlarge for easy reading)

I made some yesterday and added about a half a can of drained corn to it - YUM!

Cowboy casserole is very easy and uses things you may have on hand.  You can use less meat if you choose or even sausage or venison.  This is a hearty meal.  Maybe add a side of garlic toast or a salad and you are set.  Great for a busy day.  I have made this many, many times.

Always think about soups!  Throw together any veggies you have and any meats (or not) in a pot or crockpot and make a great meal.  Add tomatoes or sauce or leftover gravies or bouillon to season and flavor the broth.  Soup is always an inexpensive dish to make.  There are absolutely NO limits to what you can make.  Veggie, potato, cream of anything soups, split peas, beans, etc.

SNACKS - we all need a snack now and again.  No bake cookies are easy and use up oatmeal you may have on hand.  Easy peanut butter cookies (posted recipe last week) are also easy and use what you have.

Come fall this is always around my house for a sweet bite.  I mix together salted peanuts and candy corn in a bowl - it tastes like a Pay Day candy bar.  I am not a fan of candy corn alone - but sure do love it this way!

Make a pie!  This is great - mock pecan pie!  No nuts needed - just oatmeal and let me tell you it is good!  I am a pecan pie nut, and this is very good!

No reason not to have good food to eat.  You can use many of the items you have in your own pantry (no shopping necessary) and make something new and tasty.  Meals need to be filling and you want to stretch things as far as you can when you are in need.  Not all meals have to have meat (I know, many don't agree) - but they really don't.  Use whatever protein you have on hand.  Don't stress - feed you family on the cheap.

I never recommend things that I have not done myself.  I have had rough days in the past when food needed to be stretched to the max - and here I am!  

YOU GOT THIS!!!

Have a wonderful day and enjoy all the blessings God has given!

Weekly Wrap Up 8/24

 Hello and happy Sunday to all.  I am hoping you are all well and safe this fine Sunday.  One more week of this month and then it will be September.  I know that makes some happy - but I would just as well wait a while.  We will be experiencing a 'fake' fall this coming week - with highs in the 70's F, and lows in the 50's.  That will sure be a nice reprieve for a bit.  That is perfect weather in my book.  It has been much better the past few days - the humidity has come down and the temps as well.  I have sure enjoyed it.  It will get hot again, no doubt about that.

I saw a hummingbird moth again this week.  That doesn't happen often - they are just so neat.  Hummingbirds have been very active and drinking a lot, I hope that doesn't mean what I think.  The bright gold finches have been loving the echinacea seeds!

Got to walk a lot this week, porch sit and visit with many neighbors.  Nice.

My frugal week:

• Picking lots and lots of produce!  Lot of peppers and a good 50-60 lbs. of tomatoes this week!!  I will be picking more today.  The zucchini is done now.  The cherry toms are pretty much done (although setting new blooms), but the regular tomatoes are just going nuts.  I have some that are a pound or over that I have picked - Beef Master.  Talk about a nice slice of tomato!

Here is the one that was just a tad over a pound - there are others close to that weight!  Fills the hand

• Cleaned out the area between fence and drive again (neighbor's stuff coming through).  I sure wish they would keep things up - sigh.  He finally did his front fence yesterday - looks a little better
• Cut wild trees and weeds coming up out back in flowers - seems a constant chore
• Lots of laundry - I seem to change clothes a lot in the summer heat!
• Made new hummingbird nectar and cleaned the feeders
• Took the neighbor some tomatoes and peppers, came home with cukes and 2 patty pan squash.  She brought me cukes 2 more times this week - loving that!
• "Pickled" peppers 3 ways this week.  All easy - some sliced and placed in the jalapeno jar, some sliced and placed in the jar of mild banana rings from store, and one jar of refrigerator dill peppers
• Mowed and trimmed the entire yard over 2 days.  A neighbor brought over his blower, when I got done with the front, as I was getting ready to sweep walks and drive.  That was neat to use - I got get one of those!
• Got to air the house and turn of AC a lot!!!
• Didn't leave, so no grocery shopping
• Had a sweet tooth one day, so got creative.  Heated a couple waffle pieces from freezer in toaster - let them cool - and then made an ice cream sandwich out of them.  That was good
• Used zucchini, peppers and summer sausage in a baked spaghetti that I made in the air fryer
• Grapes picked and in freezer to make jelly later on
• Took lots of walks this week - it was so nice and the air refreshing - free exercise
• Cooking from home and using what I have

Meals this past week:

Potato/egg/cheese skillet & sliced tomatoes

Chicken strips, fries and fresh veggies

Italian bread pizza (made air fryer) (bread from freezer)

Pizza piece and salad

Baked spaghetti & sliced toms - 2X

BLT and side salad

SNACKS - tomato sandwich, toms & cukes, fruit, ice cream sandwich

This week I will be doing canning, now that it is cooler.  Got to get those tomatoes put up into winter goodies and 'gifts'.   Have shared a lot of them.

Just the same stuff, nothing exciting going on here.  Life the way I like it.

How has your week been?  Give us a shout out and let us all know what you have been doing and how those gardens are doing.

I hope you all have fantastic week and please, stay healthy and safe.  Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

I leave you with a wonderful poem today!

****************

WIDEN MY VISION

God open my eyes

    so I may see

And feel Your presence

    close to me.

Give me strength

    for my stumbling feet

As I battle the crowd

    on life's busy street,

And widen the vision

    of my unseeing eyes

So in passing faces

    I'll recognize

Not just a stranger,

    unloved and unknown,

But a friend with a heart    

    that is much like my own.

Give me perception

     to make me aware

That scattered profusely

     on life's thoroughfare

Are the best gifts of God

    that we daily pass by

As we look at the world

    with an unseeing eye.

Helen Steiner Rice

                              AMEN

Lord, please keep each and every one in your loving, caring and healing arms.  May we all have a blessed week ahead and may we all be a friend to someone in need.  Thank you for our many blessings.  Amen