Weekly Wrap Up 4/19

 Hello to all and a happy Sunday.  Hoping this finds you all well and safe.

It is a pretty but chilly morning here.  The sun is up and shining and it is a bit frosty here.  After such a warm week, it is different!  Tonight, may get down to close to freezing as well.  Good reminder that it isn't growing time here yet (for most stuff).  We had an incredible week weatherwise.  Yesterday was cooler and rainy (needed), and this girl just got lazy, and didn't do much but eat, snack and nap!

Both SIL and sis are doing well, and life is getting back to normal for both.

It was a fairly quiet week

My frugal week:

• Went out to lunch with grade school gals.  It was a nice time and good food.  Brought home leftovers (cost less than $20)
• Mowed everything from front to back and trimmed
• I changed out my glider cushions for the first time in years (I got last fall on clearance).  Also moved around some lawn furniture and a lot of pots that will be used for gardening
• Made nectar and put out hummingbird feeders. Kind of early here - but you never know
• Did lots of walks - free exercise
• Made potato cakes with leftover mashed potatoes and ate some and froze some
• No heat at all this week (until this morning)
• Got to air the house each day
• Picked rhubarb
• Using what I have on hand and using all leftovers in some way - using lots of odds and ends in freezer
• Pulled out all the heavier bedding from greenhouse and kitty house and laundered & lined dried - ready for next year
• Did some sewing
• Just all the normal stuff

Meals this week:

Smash burger and lg. portobella mushroom on bagel thin, salad

Out to lunch (House of Tokyo)

l/o rice & zucchini (yesterday) with shrimp and faux crab (freezer) added & salad

Grilled burritos (used l/o beans, rice and sauce from freezer)

Poor man's Swiss steak and mashed potatoes

Chicken legs (freezer), potato cakes and salad

Smoked sausage, mac & cheese, and slaw

SNACKS - fruit, PB on toast, cheese, fresh veggies

Life has been quiet for the time being, and that is fine.  Not time for gardening yet and just of enjoying the calm.  

The poppies all have big old buds on them, then peonies have tons of buds, and everything is green and growing.  One day Chuck (groundhog) showed up again and came under the fence - Persy saw it and was having none of that.  Back arched and hissing took place (about 4' away), and Chuck stopped and slowly turned and left!  It was funny to watch.

Watching lots of birds and beautiful woodpeckers.

How was your week?  I know many are getting tons of rain (up north US) and you northern gals (Canada) are getting snow in many areas.  Time for that stuff to be done!!!

Did you get any deals this week?  Get to plant anything?

Love hearing from everyone.

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead.  Prayers for health and safety for all.

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

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

Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalms 119:105

Dear Lord we thank You for all our blessings.  I pray we all pay attention and follow Your word and light to help our lives be better.  If we follow Your light, we will always go the correct direction.  May we each add our own light to this world and help make it better for someone else.  Prayers of healing for all in need.  AMEN

Make a Joyful Noise

 Hello to all this Thursday.  Gosh, here we are in the second half of the month - amazing.  I hope you are all well and safe.

Another warm morning here, windy and cloudy, but warmer.  We had a little shower yesterday afternoon, but nothing to get excited about.  Rain supposedly coming in today.  We could use a little.  I can't believe that some of you are still getting significant snow!  Incredible.  I wish warm weather for you.  I know you will most assuredly enjoy it when it comes.

Yes, there is so much to be grateful for - even when you are looking at uncertainty in your life.  I always remember that there is someone out there that would love to have my life, and that makes me smile.

Take time to truly enjoy and claim all the good in this world.  I know things are going on out there, I am not in a hole - but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy all the special things.  Celebrate them - if each and everyone did that, life would be great.

Be grateful for:

family and friends

your loving and sweet pets

your home - you have shelter

food on the table - no matter what it is - you are fortunate

the birds singing - you can hear them

for all the friends we have here - for all the tips, help and love each one offers the others 

the changing seasons - they keep all things in check

fresh air and sunshine

hearing and seeing little ones play and laugh

The list goes on and on...................

I hope each and every one can reach out in SOME way to another and spread joy and love.  Give a hand up.  Help keep your area neat and clean.  Plant some pretty flowers - others do enjoy.  Feed an animal - they are God's as well.  Smile or say a kind word to someone.  Share an idea.  

Anything - small things are the best and they can totally change a day.

I hope each one can live in joy and happiness.

Not negativity, anger and hatred (it accomplishes nothing).  

You have a choice.  Make it a positive one.

Have a super day and weekend.  

Embrace joy and spread that stuff everywhere!!!!!!!!

Food Finds that will be Tasty

 Hello all - hope everyone is good this morning.  Another warm and lovely day here. It is currently 72*F this morning and again, warmer in the house.  I got up and opened all the windows and that air feels so good.  Bitsy keeps going from window to window to know what is going on out there!  It will be another 80* day here - we are getting so used to it, but it too shall pass.  Come Sunday it is to cool and be in the 30's again for a couple nights.  It isn't summer yet!

Yesterday when working in the yard, I noticed that the peonies plants have tons of small buds and thousands of flies on them.  Not ants yet, but flies!  Maybe that is a sign they will smell extra sweet this year!!!

You know I like food and mixing things up a bit.  I love to try new things, and I think some of you do as well.   With most folks trying to stretch the budgets and use up what they have - it is always nice to have a new idea or two.

Now this sounds wonderful to me.  It is a good example of making things into a new dish, that one may not think of.  I would think you could add what you want and just keep changing it up.  Sounds wonderful. (Heck, I would try it with drained canned corn as well).

                                                        Bread in 10 minutes

Run out of bread for a sandwich or meal and it is a hot day - so not wanting to turn on the oven??  Here you go.  Pretty darn easy and simple.  Made on the stove top.  Using normal kitchen items, we all have on hand.

I have added apple to chicken salad before, but never tuna salad.  I generally add frozen peas or pickles to tuna - but this is a fun change up!  Even has walnuts!  There is NO one way to make anything.  I am definitely going to try this one.

I do this so many times in the summer months, when I have a variety of produce available.  I love this stuff.  I make it is the frig all the time.  I have made it before and canned as well.  I just love veggies cut up and seasoned.  My favorite parts are the cauliflower and the carrots - I tend to leave out the celery, as it doesn't absorb the flavor as well in my opinion.  MY TIP: Get the brine scalding before pouring over veggies - helps it absorb.

Another good idea, instead of heavy cream in a creamy soup recipe.  A cornstarch slurry using milk, giving it more of a cream texture.

What traditional recipes do you change up ingredients in?  Do you have a fun one to share?

I love hearing how folks change things up into a new flavor sensation!

During the summer I love various types of salads - pasta can have absolutely anything added.  I love broccoli and cauliflower salads as well.  You can change up potato salad too.

Let us know your fun change up!!!!!

Hava a very special day.

Blessings to all.

Staying Small and Growing Big in Smaller Spaces

 Hello all.  Hope this finds everyone well.  

Hope everyone has taken care of taxes - tomorrow is the day!!!!!

It is a warmer morning here today.  Right now it is 70* here.  It is much warmer in the house than that.  It is 77* in the house!  It got to 80*+ yesterday and I did not turn on AC - slept with fans on.  I already have windows all open this morning to let that cooler air in - it is a breezy day - so that will help some.  

Just a few words today about trying to grow some of your own food.  It is about that time of the year, and many are getting started.  You do not have to have a big garden!  You can grow small amounts and in all kinds of containers and places - and have fresh goods for your counter.

                                                                         not my picture

I know some folks have homeowner associations that say no gardens (insane) - but there can be ways around it.  Plant amongst flowers and bushes or if you have a patio - use that area with pots and nice containers.  I am sure if you think on it, you can find a way around those crazy rules!

Every little bit you grow is something that you do not have to buy.  Today, that is a good thing.

Use containers, if need be.  Things that grow well in containers are herbs, leafy greens, cherry tomatoes (or patio tomatoes), peppers, radish and spring onions.  I always have a couple of pots just outside the kitchen door growing lettuce greens and green onions.  I just need to walk out the door and get freshness for a salad.

You don't even need to spend a lot of money on seeds.  I know folks that have used the seeds that come from store bought tomatoes and peppers.  Now mind you that you probably won't an exact replica of the veggie (most things are crossed), but it will be fresh.  If you have heirloom veggies - you can save seed and it will always be the same.  Maybe see if someone has extra plants that they need to get rid of.  You can even use some store-bought veggies and continue growing and using them.  (celery and green onions are both easy).

You can use buckets, tubs, crates, hanging baskets, flowerpots or anything that you may have that holds dirt.  Make sure you make some drainage holes and maybe add a little rock to the bottom, and you are good to go.  I have even seen people use bags of dirt (laid flat) - poke a few drainage holes in the bottom side of bag and slit open the other side of bags (l--l) and plant shallow root items - lettuce, radish, onions, etc.

Think about a trellis for vining items such as cucumbers or beans or even old shelving units to contain many pots and containers.

You need a spot that has a good 6 hours of light.  You need some decent soil.  Keep things watered and don't over crowd.  Add a little fertilizer every few weeks, as they are in pots and not gaining nutrients from nature's soil.

My brother has even used straw bales to plant in!  Yep - you can do that.  He had good luck with squash.  The bales last a good few years and when done - can be mulched into compost and the soil.

He lives on 3 acres, so has a lot of trees.  Leaves and smaller sticks are composted.  Limbs and other small items are often burned, and the ash is used in the garden beds as potash.  Big trees (fallen) have been turned into 'lumber' with his chain saw and a homemade version of a mill and those made his raised beds.  He has a huge compost pile and great garden every year.  He utilizes all he can from what he has.

This is a shot from this morning of the celery I have started from the ends of store bought.  All 3 were started exactly on the same day - such variety in growth!  This cost me a big ZERO.  I got the celery for free - but you can use the ends of store bought that you might otherwise throw away.  A bowl or container - and water!!  Easy as that.

Good example of growing indoors!

So don't give in and say 'I can't grow' anything.  You can grow something. 

WHY?

You save money - not buying

Chemical free food - always healthier

NO packaging to have to throw away

FRESH and yummy

Start small and build your confidence and skills.  Maybe it is herbs in the kitchen window or a pot of lettuce or green onions outside the back door.  Or a large pot with a tomato plant or a pepper plant - every little bit helps the budget.  Get the kiddos involved too - it is a fun activity and there is always something to learn. (even for adults)

I can personally testify, that there is absolutely nothing that tastes better than something you have grown and harvested and placed on your dinner plate!!!!

I wish you all a super day.

Stay frugal and stay happy!

Weekly Wrap Up 4/12

 Hello to everyone.  Happy Sunday.  I sure hope this finds you all doing well.

It is a nice morning here - at 58*F already.  Looks to get to 80* and some wind.  I think this next week will be a sampling of May weather.  It is predicted to be in 70's and 80's all week.  Rain many days (at least partial days).

I know many of you gals up north are still getting snow - I hate that for you.  It is time to be over that stuff.

I ran out on a short jaunt this week and noticed all the redbud trees are so pretty and lots of flowering trees are lovely.  It is all coming back to life in our area.

I found out this week that my sister-in-law (85 yrs old) had quite the mishap this week.  Her and brother went to my gr.gr. nephews' baseball game (the young man that won a scholarship for ball).  He is their gr. grandson.  He threw a ball from 3rd to home and the catcher missed it, and somehow it hit SIL in the face!  Brother said her glasses is what saved her eye.  She has 2 cuts and 4 broken bones, but none were separated, so no surgery needed.  Talk about a freak accident.  Nephew pulled himself from game, as he was so upset about his throw hurt grandma.  Needless to say, she is very sore and swollen.

Horrible thing to happen, yet so fortunate she didn't lose an eye or worse.  Also, she had 2 littles right there with her, and they were missed, it probably would have killed them had they been hit in the head.

My frugal week.

• I had a pie sent home with me from my nieces Easter dinner.  I cut and froze in individual pieces for future treats
• Inventoried the H & B cabinet - I think I am in good shape there for a long while
• Seemed to be a neighbor helping neighbor week (or helping ourselves w/views).  Guy 2 doors down mowed all the yard next door (it is 3 lots wide - huge) and he did it with a regular mower and not a rider.  I hope they paid him.  I cleaned out the other neighbors yuck - between my fence and his garage (taller than fence).  Also cut all the stuff growing up the fence on their side.  Another neighbor cut his and 3 other yards one day.  
• I mowed and trimmed all of my yard
• Finally got to unplug all the water holes for hopefully the last time
• Lots of walks
• No heat most of the week and got to air house some
• Paid everything I had in house
• Cut back the 3 clumps of pampas grass out back
• Cooked 4 older boneless chops I found back in the freezer - used the crockpot and made them into shredded pork
• Froze pork broth for future use
• Used the air fryer and crockpot this week instead of oven
• Used all leftovers in other meals and in new ways or froze 
• Ran out one day to get oranges on sale (all I got).  While out I ran past thrift store and looked at bread

I picked up a package of these bagel 'thins' FREE!  I have never seen them before.  They are seasoned with 'everything' seasoning.  Will make a good smash burger sandwich, I think!  Look forward to trying them.

Meals this past week:

Easter dinner with family

Potato salad, hard boiled eggs and ham (freezer)

Beans & rice w/beef added, sauteed yellow squash

Shredded pork 'soft tacos' and salad

l/o beans & rice topped with cheese dip and broccoli

Diced potatoes and shredded pork and salad

Chicken & veggie wrap and roasted broccoli

What did you do this week to stay frugal?  Any exciting plans or deals?

I hope you all had a good week and have your health and stay safe.

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

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

I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Thank You Lord for all the many blessings we received this week, many of which were bad things averted.  We know we are blessed in what we receive and often in what we do not receive or experience.

Help us each one to know that You are our strength and our comfort.  All things are possible when we let you be involved and in charge of our lives.  Thank you for family and friends and for the beauty of nature that we get to experience each day.  AMEN

Thursday Chat

 Hello all.  Hope you are all well and good.

It is a lovely start to the day here in my area.  It is currently 59* according to my thermometer.  Much better than freezing temps!  May get close to 80* today.  Good day to work outside for sure.

Everything is getting so pretty outside.  Green is now the color of the week!  Flowers are all popped up (perennials).  The Vinca vine out front is flowering now - little blue/violet flowers.  Lots of dandelions and violets everywhere.  Weeds are thriving as usual!!  Seems nothing keeps them down.

Thought I would show you how I 'started' my celery ends to grow.  I have each one raised a bit above the bottom of each container (sitting on 3 quarters - ea. one).  They are raised a bit off the bottom so they can get roots easier.  Once I have the ends - I scrape the very bottom with a knife to have a clean bottom.  It has scabbed over during transit - so scraping helps the water to enter the ends.    This was the day I set them and now they are growing out of the center of each.  The one on the left has celery stalks about 2" tall now.  They grow more flimsy than a regular stalk of celery - but great to just snip and use in food!  Waste not!  It is fun too!

I was watching the crazy squirrels yesterday in the tree.  I mentioned that they love the little pods/twirlers from the maple tree.  They are so funny.  They go to furthest out fringes of the branches to get them.

See that goofball hanging on the fragile little branches hanging down. (mid picture).  Now mind you the pods are laying all over the yard - but noooooo - got to make it exciting!!!  LOL

Licorice has never come back home.  He was last seen on 2/28.  I sure do miss that boy.  There are lots of cats being seen that I have never seen before.  Not babies, but adult cats.  I mean I find odd that all of a sudden there are so many different ones just roaming around.  They all look healthy - so getting fed somewhere. 

I still have Momma, Persi (came back and decided it likes to live here (all healed)), and Pip and Squeak (the young-ins) outside.  Those 4 are getting better, as they come to greet me each morning and don't hide anymore.  I still can't pet them, but it is getting better - they know I bring FOOD, so they get closer and closer!!!!  A couple others come by for a bite now and then - but they are regulars in the neighborhood.  Yep, seems I am the cat lady!  LOL

Of course there is Bitsy inside!  My buddy.

Now that the major threat of freeze is over here, I think I will be hanging the hummingbird feeders today.  I have heard rumors that a few have been sighted as far north as our city.  I want to be ready when they show.  There isn't a lot to feed on naturally yet, so they need the nectar.

I keep noticing more and more blogs I read are talking about using up the oldest items they have in the freezers and pantries - I just love it.  I am trying to get the older items out of the freezer as well - now I do buy new when I find a deal - but rotation is so important.  Sure don't want to trash good food - that is like throwing away $$.

Guess I best get busy.  I hope you have a lovely day.

Look for all the good things and be happy.

Stay joyful and smile. 

Foods that Extend Your Pantry (and don't cost much)

 Hello all and happy midweek.  I hope everyone is well this lovely day.

It is in the upper 30's this morning and partially sunny.  It looks to be a lovely day ahead.  I think we had our last night of 30's for a good while (hopefully for the season).  Yesterday was a bit cooler, but it was great for doing yardwork (no sweating).

                                                      Just enjoy your day and your life!

I talk a lot about food, I know.  Food is something we all need, and one thing we can control in our budgets a bit.  It is tough when you don't have big funds to buy anything you want, I understand that.  I was there many decades ago.

There are inexpensive ways to extend what you do have on hand and still fill the bellies.

Basics that we should all have on hand - that help with any budget - big or small.

Beans and lentils - protein, inexpensive and good for you.  Can extend any meal

Canned fish - it is the least expensive of canned (tinned) meats

Oats - a super grain to have.  Breakfast, baking and a great extender in meats!

Rice and pasta - they can be added to about anything from soup to sides.  Inexpensive

Peanut butter - good protein.  A nice snack. baking, flavoring, sandwiches, etc.

Flour - not just baking, use for batters, coatings, gravies, pancakes, thickeners, etc.

Sugar - again not just baking, but seasoning and flavoring

Spices - can get at inexpensive stores and they can add great flavor to plain items

Potatoes - so many DOZENS of ways to fix!!!!!!!!!!

Carrots, onions - add flavoring and/or nutrition to a meal

Cabbage - pretty much the cheapest veggie per pound - it can be used in many ways

Squashes - great nutrition and fairly cheap to buy.  Add to any meals or make soups

Canned tomatoes & tomato products - a must!  Unlimited ways to use tomatoes in meals - from sauces to salads

Apples and bananas seem to be about the least expensive fruits - great for vitamins

Eggs - prices have come way down (or buy fresh) - great protein

Crackers - tortillas

Boullion - can add flavor to anything - especially different meats, soups, stews, etc.  

MEAT - buy whatever is least expensive.  Chicken and pork are usually the cheapest here.  Ground meats of any sort - can season and flavor (bouillon) as you wish.  Sausage can be found on sale a lot.  Seasonal meats - turkey, ham, even ground beef and hotdogs at various times (summer).

Cheeses when you find on sale - adds to any meal or dish.  Yogurt, milk can be used in many ways - not just drinking or eating as is.

Frozen veggies are nice to have on hand and can be pretty inexpensive.  Canned as well and fruit too.

Corn meal - great for making corn bread, coating items for frying, added to all kinds of muffins and breads.

I know many say - yuck.  LOL!  Now I would too to just plain old mush - but unless you have tried fried slices of cornmeal mush in a little bacon grease - don't say yuck yet.  It really is tasty.  Get it crispy on both sides and I am in!!!!

Now it may not be a lot of nutrition - but it sure will fill the belly and sometimes that is what it is all about.   Maybe add an egg or pancakes - even a little syrup - Mmmmmmm!

(click on above to enlarge for easy reading - 3 parts)

Lastly - grow something - anything - if at all possible.  Nothing like walking out the door and getting fresh goods.  It saves on the grocery budget, and the taste can't be beat.

Think about gleaning as well - so many things that can be eaten for free.  Mushrooms (know what you are doing), greens, nuts, even fruit - from abandoned places and the woods.

These items are not just great extenders but fairly inexpensive.  They may not make a complete pantry - but they sure can stretch other foods and goods you have.  I find the above items to be basics that I want in my pantry ALL the time.

Do you have any other items that fit the bill of extending and that are fairly cheap?

Let us know - it is always good to get new ideas.

Have a fantastic day - live, learn and share today!!!!!!!