Ready, Set, Let's Get Pantry Ready for Winter!

 Howdy to all this AM.  Here we are mid-week again!  Almost a week into November.  It is a dreary, damp morning here.  We got rain last evening and then a lot of rain over night!  Not raining this morning, but things are sure wet.  

I was getting ready to go out and feed Licorice and the birds and saw a big old opossum run across the street, up the drive and by the time I got out there - it was in the back yard.  It sure was gnarly looking! LOL.  It was then daylight, and it saw me and took off.  Licorice had breakfast in peace!

Now that we have had the 'time change' - have you readied your home in other ways than just pantry?  It is a good time to change furnace filters, change directions on ceiling fans, check and change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  Bring in those batteries for battery operated yard tools.  The extreme cold can truly affect them - trust me I found out the hard way in the past!

Patch any cracks in foundation - so 'critters' can't get in your home.  Do you know where your snow equipment is?  Is it easy to get to?  Do you have hats, gloves, blankies in your car - in case?

Check your window and doors for air tightness.  Extra blankets for you and pets IN CASE!  Do you have a generator and fuel?

Just things to think about!!

Now is the time to start to closely watch the grocery sales.  Baking supplies will be on good sales in many places for the next 8 weeks or so.  Watch the meat prices - especially turkey and ham.  

If you have room and can do it - buy as much as you can while on super sales.  Cheap turkey and ham - cooked and carved - is much cheaper and healthier than cold cuts.  You get many meals as well.

I have read that turkey prices will be down this year by a good 15% from last year.  Lindl had turkey already for .39/lb.!  Eyes open.

Cranberries, sweet potatoes, potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash, canned goods like beans, soups, and holiday specialties will be on sale.

Think about buying bread on clearance or cheaply and drying your own for dressing/stuffing.  It is so easy to do - I make my own still to this day.  If I don't use for dressing - it becomes breadcrumbs.

Many dairy items, like creme cheese, sour cream and heavy cream will be on sale.

Look for eggs - this week Kroger has their 18 count eggs on digital coupon again for 2.49.

Did you buy any after Halloween candy?  Use it in your holiday baking.

Make sure you also look at obscure places to shop - not just grocery stores.  I got the opportunity to run into Menard's yesterday (hadn't been in 2 years!!) - so many fun and inexpensive food options and stocking stuffers and a rebate to boot!  Check out places like Big Lots, Ollies, TJ Maxx, etc.  Not just food items, but things you will need for the winter as well.

Furnace filters, ice melt, scrapers for vehicles, hats and gloves, throws, draft dodgers for doors, books, batteries, door mats, and gifts galore!  So much to be had at inexpensive prices if you pay attention.

I love the old timey look of this picture.  It reminds me of the root cellars and pantries of old.  Ready and stocked.

Do what you can, while you can, with what you have.  Stock up a little here and there.  Always have eyes wide open for a bargain or deal.

We never know what the weather will be, who may lose a job, what kinds of shortages may happen, if you get an illness, unexpected emergencies, etc. - so it just makes sense to be prepared.

If you are worried about full freezers in an emergency situation, think about canning those items.  Basically, everything can be canned.

Don't panic - just slowly stock things as you find deals and have the funds.  Slow and steady wins the race!!!

Check around all places - you never know what kind of deal you may find.

Have a beautiful day to all!

We Got This

 Happy Tuesday to all.  I am writing this on Monday evening and posting very early on Tuesday - as I plan on being out the door early to vote.  Please be sure you do too.  It is very important.

Monday was a cool rainy and breezy day.  I did get out and walk a little and did a little outdoor work in between raindrops!  It was so dreary.  I tell you, I now arise an hour earlier by the clock (thank you kitties and time change).  The day seems sooooooo long.  Sounds crazy, but it is dark by 6PM and there is still plenty of day to do stuff.  I rather liked it getting dark at 8PM or 9PM - closer to bedtime!!

I love this - don't let anyone take your JOY!

Just a word of advice for today and the coming days.  I think we all know things will be stressful for a while and the people are going to be divided no matter the result of the election.  Now I will not speak of parties or political decisions or ideals (and appreciate you NOT as well) - but it may get weird out there.

My advice - do not panic, do not stress - it will not help.

Try your best to not reach that panic stage about anything - health, money, politics, jobs, etc.  DON'T LET STRESS/PANIC WIN!

You are empowered in your thoughts and in your actions - you and you alone.  Stuff is always going to happen in life that we don't like - but we have the power to react in a positive light.

Always be respectful to everyone.  Do not start debate with family or friends.  Love everyone.  Be kind.  YOU be the bigger person and do the right thing always.

Life happens.  Many in our group have been through much lately - storms, destruction, health issues, family issues, financial issues, lots of loss, etc.  

May we all just embrace each other with kindness and appreciate one another.  Boost each other in every way we can.

Negativity will never win over a positive and healthy attitude and way of life.  You have the power to make your life happy.  DO IT!

As the song says Que Sera, Sera - what will be will be!  We just make the best of it.  We got this!

Have a wonderful and blessed day to all.

PLEASE NO POLITICS!

Weekly Wrap-Up 11/3

 Happy November to all.  This year is almost gone!  Hard to believe.  So much yet to do and so much already done.  We had a mixed bag of weather this past week.  Warm, chilly, one day of decent rain, and wind and more wind.

There suddenly became pretty colors with the leaves.  The sugar maples and the burning bushes are my favorites.  Some trees are void of leaves now after all the wind we had.  Some still looking beautiful.  Amazingly I still see green too!

It looks like this next week will be mainly in the 60's(F) - that sounds fine to me.

Time change (ugh) - didn't see any extra sleep here!  Kitties woke me as usual for breakfast - which according to the clock was an hour earlier!!  Licorice was waiting at daylight for his food outdoors, again an hour earlier to the clock.  Such is life!

This last week seemed busy and, on the go, - but I don't feel I accomplished a lot at home.  Maybe I did, it just seemed not to me.

My fugal week:

• I rearranged my living room, as much as I could on Sunday.  It has been the same for 22 years!!  Not a lot I can do - but I moved some things, so I have more spots to read or watch TV with my feet up!  Nice change.
• Went out to lunch with my sister - her treat!  Had a fun time
• Went to lunch with my grade school friends.  That was fun and we had about 28 show up!
• Got to air the house a lot
• While out - I got monthly gas fill-up with my discount from Kroger.  Saved .40 gallon.  I also got about 2 gallons for home - just to have over the winter in case myself or someone needs it. Paid 2.79/gal.
• Stopped at thrift store as well.  I found a long gray sweater wrap.  I also got a Christmas sweater and sweatshirt - both are brand new
• I went through the freezers again, and realized I am totally set for all the upcoming holidays - through Easter - for meat.  I also have all I need for any get togethers and enough meat and frozen veggies for myself for a long, long while.  I eat with family on the holidays, but like having my own goodies here to munch on. 
• I reorganized and cleaned the deep pantry as well.  Dusted the cans and jars - and emptied some crates and reorganized.  Got all my basket 'stuffers' together for the holidays - more to get.
• Other than 2 days out - cooked from home and used up all leftovers, made a batch of biscuits as well.

Monday was the day sis and I went out.  Mind you she is 93 and still going.  Well, Thursday she fell and fractured her pelvis and a bone near her spine.  She is now in hospital.  Thursday and Friday were days of tests, x-rays and shear torture for her.  I went yesterday to see her.  It was her first therapy (can't do surgery due to age).  Boy she hurts!  Poor thing.  We had a really long visit, and I stayed while she had therapy and then lunch.  She seemed in better spirits when I left - she just needs lots of encouragement.  Her kids and us will make sure she gets that!  Please say a little prayer for her, if you will.  She has a long painful recovery ahead.

Meals this past week:

Tuna/noodle/pea casserole (leftover) and tomatoes

Diner w/sis - had Rueban and fries

Mexican w/friends - enchiladas and beans and rice

Meatloaf burger (freezer) and salad

Pork chop, asparagus and toms

Red beans & rice, leftover asparagus and biscuit

Bean/rice/cheese burrito and salad

SNACKS: warm biscuit, fruit, tomatoes, small salad, pickles

So there you have it - I seemed to have kept busy.  Not sure how much accomplished, but I kept busy!

How was your week?  What did you get done and accomplished?  Did you do any canning or freezing of goods?  Any good deals at the stores?  Crafting?

Love hearing from you all.

I want to thank Laurie, Cookie and Cindy again for the thoughtful cards this week.

May your week ahead be safe and healthy.  I hope all that have been involved in weather events are getting a little normalcy back in their lives.

Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

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Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.  The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. 

Proverbs 16:3-4

Lord, as we go each day forward, please help us to ready our homes for whatever may come this way.  Help us to ready our souls for a future in eternity with You.  Please help us each understand others and do the best we can to spread love and joy and peace on this earth.  Please protect us in Your loving arms in the coming weeks of uncertainty.  We pray for peace.  AMEN

My Thoughts to End/Start Months

 Hello to all.  Last day of October!  Happy Halloween if you celebrate.  Tomorrow, we start another new month, only 2 left this year!  A short few weeks it will be Thanksgiving here in the US.  Life is flying by.

This morning is quite warm to start the day - upper 60's.  Rain, glorious rain - we get some today!  It has been an exceptionally dry month - so we end the month with some much-needed precipitation!  

I have been thinking so much about all those that were affected by the storms at the first part of the month.  There are wildfires happening all around as well - and big winds.  There is flooding happening in many places around the globe. It is all so scary and so sad.

Truth!  No one gets to the end of life and wants to say - I hope I left them guessing about how I feel.  Tell people NOW!  Let those you love and care for know how you feel.  If nothing else, be the shoulder they need.  There comes a time in life that we all need a shoulder.  When we are young, we think we have all the time in the world.  Well, let me tell you - those years seem to fly by and then you are in your later season of life.  DO things now, say things now, be there now - it is so important on both sides!

I think about all those this past month that have lost family members and friends to these horrible storms.  I think about those that lost all their possessions - homes included.  Many are now sleeping in tents as cooler/cold weather will be approaching.  Many do not have electricity yet or water.  We have gals here in our group that have gone through so much and it still continues to a degree.  I am sure there are group members that we don't know about yet, going through devastating loss.

If you are of the persuasion - PLEASE pray for them all - for all folks going through such horrible stuff.

We sure can use more love in this world - more kind deeds - more kind words.

Be the positive influence in your family, neighborhood, office, etc.  Be kind and pass on kindness. It is infectious!!!

Stop and think, as we start November, all the things that you are thankful for - big or small.

Thanks for being here and being a friend not only to me, but to others.  I love this group - you have all helped me in ways that you will never understand or know.

Have a wonderful day - stay safe - and BE KIND!

PS - THANK YOU to Cindy and to Laurie!!!!!!! You know!

Some Fun Food (and drink) for the Holidays/Winter!

 Happy midweek to all.  It is a warmer morning here.  The house was 73* this morning when I got up - all from the heat it accumulated yesterday.  Yesterday set big records here.  It was the warmest for that date in 74 years!  The house warmed up - but with the windows open it was comfortable.  It was extremely windy yesterday!  Today is supposed to be warmer as well.

Isn't that pretty?  I would love to take a walk down that track.  You can almost smell the leaves and nature.

I like fun food, especially at the holidays.  Things that maybe we wouldn't have or do at other times!  I like eating and drinking them and I like gifting them.

This sounds very refreshing and holiday like!  I think this would be great for a holiday brunch.  I do believe even the kiddos would love it.

I think if one wanted to be 'festive' a shot of rum or vodka per glass might be good as well!!  

Hmmmm - even something like a Malibu rum!

FLAVORED BUTTER!  Have you ever made flavored butter for the holidays or special dinners?

You can add anything you want to softened butter.  Soften the butter, add the ingredients desired and knead it in.  The form a roll and wrap in wax paper or parchment paper to store.

You can add bacon bits, cheese, garlic or onion powder or dehydrated, any herbs - like rosemary, thyme, basil, etc.  It is great on warm bread or rolls or just for spreading on crackers with a bowl of chili or stew!  Buy your butter when advertised on specials during the holiday months.  I have already been seeing it for 2.50 and less per pound.  You could also make your own butter pretty easily with heavy cream.

Have fun with it.  It is so tasty.

APPLE BUTTER

Click on recipe to enlarge.

I am doing this for part of the gift baskets this year!  So easy - put in the crockpot and let it do the work.  I will be canning in 1/2 pint jars and processing to make it shelf stable.

I think this will be a fun addition.

I may play with adjusting the sugar a bit (using less), we will see.

Just a couple fun things to maybe add to the menu this year.  I think it is fun to try new things.

ENJOY!!

Have a super day - enjoy these last days of October.

The Countdown is On! (in many ways)

 Happy Tuesday!  How is everyone this new day?  I hope well and safe.  This month has flown by and here we are at the end of it.  Gosh, hard to believe Friday is November.  Here is the U.S. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, then BOOM Christmas!

It is a warmer morning here today.  In the 60's already and going to 80* today!!  They say windy but very warm.

The time change falls BACK this weekend.  UGH!  I hate it!  Yay, it gets dark at 4PM or 5PM says no one!!!  "You get an extra hour sleep" they say!  HA - obviously 'they' don't have animals!!!!  I think here in US, AZ is about the only place that doesn't change.  Not sure about other countries.

Elections are a week away.  Big changes ahead - regardless.  NO political opinions here please - just a reminder to VOTE!  It truly is important - not something to be taken lightly.

Let us talk holidays today.  I have all my canning yet to do - much of it goes in Christmas baskets.  When weather cools, I will be ordering my summer sausage I get every year from Walnut Creek.

I have started getting smaller things for stuffers in baskets and for the littles.  I need so much more.

I LOVE the above meme.

It says a lot to me.  I think we need to get away from super expensive gifts - whether for children or adults.  I can hear people now saying "well, they will just throw things away".  That is so not true for many people (not all).  I happen to have a family that loves getting goodie baskets - teens included.  It is like a treasure hunt!!!!  They get fun things they may not make or buy themselves.

I "listen" all year to things they all say.

Small businesses are important - more than ever.  These people are just trying to support families - not corporations.  You find so many neat items too.

Don't have room for a tree?  Have pets that might get into a tree?  I love this idea.  This is in a corner - but could be done on a flat wall as well.  A tree of family pictures!  You could use family, friends, pets, moments - pictures of anything.  Little battery lights amongst them.  Just so cute!

Dollar Tree fun!  Get a pack of those little battery candle lights - paint and ribbon and you have some super cute little decorations for a little tree or for a window or around a mirror.  The ideas are endless.

Another FREE or super cheap little ornament.  I think these would be cute little gifts for teacher or office workers or the bus driver.  Just a little token gift.

Baskets (bags - whatever) can be for young or old.  Little games, treats, crayons, books, candles, warm socks, teas, cups, coffees, homemade goodies - you name it.  These are so fun to put together and fun to receive.  I know I enjoy them.

Great fun for someone in a nursing home as well - little bottles of things they can use, puzzles, word search, stamps, pens, envelopes packets of cards, warm socks, etc.

ALSO - time to start getting gift cards you might want to give.  I can buy about any card I choose at Kroger and with a digital coupon I get extra gas points for myself as well.  Win-Win!

If you need to mail gifts - think gift cards.  No extra postage needed.  If you have mailed a package as of late - you know how crazy expensive postage is.

Just a few things to get that mind motivated and thinking of maybe doing something totally different this year.  Have fun with it.  

Check holiday bazaars are well - they are starting up about every weekend here.  Lots of cute homemade items to buy!  Ideas to be had.

What are some neat ideas you all use?  What homemade gift seems to be a favorite for your family?

Love to hear new ideas. 

I will be giving 'foody' ideas over the next few weeks.

Have a great day.  May it be bright and joyful!

Weekly Wrap Up 10/27

 Happy Sunday to all.  Hoping this finds you all well and safe.  Cool morning here in Indiana.  These brisk mornings, sure make it hard to get out of the cozy bed!  I have the thermostat set at 67*, yet it hasn't turned on.  The house stays pretty comfy.

We finally have some color setting on around here.  There are reds, yellows, oranges, crimson, burgundy, etc.  It is getting pretty.  I saw my big old woodpecker out there yesterday!  I haven't seen it for a while.  Also saw a red-winged black bird, that must be flying through.  I have during the spring and early summer - then they usually disappear.  How about that big old moon this last week?  WOW

We have had 'Micheal Myers' walking up and down the street this week!!!  Neighbor from down the road - he walks slowly down the street (mask on) and sure makes traffic slow and take notice!!!! 

                                                                            YES!!!!!

My frugal week:

• Lots of laundry and used the dehumidifier water
• Got to air the house a lot - had a lovely week
• Working on cleaning out the garden, the area between the garden and fence (flowers), the huge New England aster, the reeds on the pampas grass, etc.  Got lots and lots of yard/garden work done
• Back hose is drained and put up
• Received my 15% off coupon on entire purchase from Ollies - will use at some point for kid's gifts
• Got another negative light bill.  This has been going on much of the year.  I have been on a reasonable budget plan for years - and suddenly I am showing credit all the time.  I did go ahead and pay the budget several months - now I get a negative bill and NO envelope!!  It also won't let me pay anything by phone until out of negative.  Cool!
• Cut my hair at home and root touch-up
• No grocery shopping.  I did run out and got NON-food items to add to the panty.  Furnace filters, cat food and treats, medicated lip balms, throat lozenges, stocking stuffers for some gift baskets, etc.  Oh, I did get one thing at Big Lots for the food pantry.  A great deal - no mixing, other than water - will make almost free tortillas!!!

Clearance of .62 for the whole bag.  Will place in glass jars and be ready to go!!!!!! Love homemade tortillas!

• Did a total vacuum and dust of main floor
• Meals from home with what I have
• Finished up a half gallon of milk dated 10/5 - still tasted perfect
• Opened a new bag of A/P flour - dated 12/21 - perfect

Meals this past week:

Chicken strips, fried corn/cabbage, sliced toms

BLT and fruit

Fried green tomatoes and a fried egg

Faux Philly beef & cheese open face, fried onion slices and sliced toms

Smoked sausage, 2 small corn on cob, salad

Mexi chicken fillet, fried zucchini, sliced toms

Cheesy tuna/noodle casserole w/peas added and sliced toms

Lots of fruit and nuts for snacks

The sun has been shining, the colors are starting, nature is great, kitties are loving - super day here.  What have you all been up to this week?  Did you find any deals?  Anyone still canning/freezing?  I am going to finally start canning this week!

Prayers for all in the storm affected areas - whatever part of the world you are in.  Look forward to hearing from you all.

Be safe and healthy and have a wonderful week ahead.  Smile and enjoy all the gifts you have been given.

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

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Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

Dear Lord, help us each one to do and say the kind thing.  There is so much evil in this world today, and we see and hear it daily.  Help us to not succumb to it, and to always do the good and just thing.  If we each do that, we can improve this earth and a little at a time.  Please continue to lay Your healing hands upon all in need.  AMEN