Seek - and You Too Can Find Deals

 Good morning to you all.  Hoping you are all well.

It is a beautiful morning here - sunny, cool and looks to be another lovely day.  It will be a bit warmer (low 80's) today.  I do believe summer is here.  We were very fortunate in May, to not have had even one tornado warning.  That is extremely unusual.  April- June are usually big months around here.  Hopefully June will be as good.

After feeding all this morning, I noticed something out on the roadside.  It was a dead opossum.  I got a bag and picked it up.  Not a mark on it - poor thing.  Yesterday there was a squirrel that looked to be 'sleeping' on the front walk - same thing - dead.  Both were stiff.  We have some yahoos that think our road is a racetrack.  Grrrr!   It amazes me how other neighbors never bother to pick these poor things up and just let there be a big mess later.  They are both now part of the woodsy area down the alley.

Today let us talk about hunting and seeking grocery deals a little.  I know some of you don't have a real advantage to do this much.  If you live small town and only have one grocery - it will be tough.  You gals that have options, make sure you always seek things out.  You can still eat well and not spend a fortune.

Soon local gardens will be producing as well - so that helps.

I went out to get some cat treats the other day and to get sugar - as Kroger had it on sale.  It is hummingbird time around here, and I make a lot of nectar.

So of course, I walk around and look for any deal that might just scream "buy me"!

Produce on markdown.  Organic broccoli cuts (12 oz.) 1.80.  Cheap considering the price of a head of broccoli.  Cauliflower was in the 1.50 bin - super cheap compared to regular price of $4-$5 each.  Slaw mix - .90.  I got this to make eggroll bowl and some egg rolls for freezer.  I have everything else at home for those dishes.  Super good eats for pennies.

I really like yogurt now and then, but never will I pay what the full price is!  This is super thick, like Greek yogurt, and tasty.  I got 5 (all they had).  I have yet to try to make yogurt, so this is my best deal.

Now this wasn't clearance, but a new deal that Kroger has going.  They have reduced a lot of prices and have some special on-going deals - so watch for those.  10 individual size smoked sausage for $5.  Now for me that is 10 meals!  .50 per meal for a protein that I really like is pretty darn cheap eating.  These can be used in a lot of ways.  They have several $5 meat deals on various items.

I did see something that I had never seen before - boneless, skinless chicken legs!!!!  What???  I have seen other chicken parts done that way, but never legs.  I was amazed and amused.

In the general area of markdowns, they had big boxes of cereal, lots of H&B items, sauces of all types, you name it.  You just have to look and dig sometimes.  Nothing there I use.

Many folks NEED food pantries - if you do don't be ashamed.  GO!

I do not need that, but I will take advantage of FREE items when I find them and can use them.  I stopped at the thrift store (Christian ministry outreach) to look at bread products.  There is always an abundance, and it is free to anyone that can use it.

All FREE!  The flatbreads are a good 3.49+ each at the grocery.  I got 4 - 2 slightly different sizes (each pack has 5).  Blueberry English muffins as well.  Nice savings and they will all get used - and freeze well.  Never will I be ashamed to get free items, if there is plenty, and I am not taking from someone in true need.

Like I said sugar has come down in price some, so I got a couple bags to have extra.  I got myself 2 sweet onions.  That is all I need for now and don't want them to go bad for fresh use (I have bags of chopped in freezer for cooking).  

In the produce bin, there was lemons, avocados, small potatoes, limes, etc.  There is always produce marked down through the main produce area - lettuce, slaw mix, and bagged broc. & caul. almost always.  I have found if I go early, there are more things to choose from.

I don't know much about meat deals at WM or Aldi, as I really have never bought meat at those stores.  Turkey and ham are the only meat purchases I have gotten at them.  They always seem more expensive to me.  I do love the other stuff at Aldi though.  WM is basically cat food and litter for me - rarely buy grocery items there.

So, I just wanted to show, that you can find some deals, but you have to look and seek them out and be willing to get items that you really weren't looking for at times.  Buy what you will use!!!!!  If it is something you won't use, it is NOT a deal.

It may make you re-think some meals, and that is ok!  Use up fresh goods in new ways.  I see broc. and caul. in salads of all sorts.  I can steam as well - or it could be roasted or turned into soup..........

Be willing to make changes to the menu and use what you have and can get cheaply.

Use your own pantry along with the sale items, and you can eat good for little money!

Have a lovely day and weekend.

You are special!!!!!

Gardening - What is Your Style?

 Howdy-ho my friends.  Hoping you and your families are good.

It is a sunny, cooler, beautiful morning here.  Going to be a dry day again, so a good day to be outside.  I have been out and fed everyone and have the windows open, and just enjoying the quiet of the morning.

Boy is this true!  Just walk and look.  Keep those eyes open.  There are critters, buggers, and things growing.  It is all part of a circle that takes care of something else.  Pretty darn miraculous.  I just love walking and listening and looking.

Today I want to ask - what is your gardening style? 

For me, the food garden and the flower gardens are very different.  I keep the veggie garden nice and neat and spaced and weed free.  It has order.

My flower gardens are what I guess some now call CHAOS gardening!  I just call it natural.  I let the flowers grow and thrive where they chose!  Yep!

Everything in the ground is perennial and just decides where it wants to be.  I do not believe I have ever dug a plant and thrown it out.  I have shared - yes.

Now do I have the variety that others have? - not always.  I do have variety and color, but it just happens naturally, no real order.

I will show examples.

Years ago, this was the front garden on the right side of the walk going up to the porch.  Orderly and neat, lots of bark - clean.  It has changed many times over the years - with flowers hanging from the heart, and stumps gone and use of tables, chairs, etc.

NOW!  The area to the left was actually where the wheelchair ramp was for many, many years.  It covered the entire way from my drive (where I am standing taking pic) to the other end of the porch.  Now you see all those flowers?  I didn't plant a one of them.  The lamb's ear started years ago on the other side and now there is none on the right.  There is lots of lemon balm - also used to be on the right, and now very little there.  Spider wart and echinacea is on both sides - used to be just on right.  Things have grown under the walk, and things have been replanted by birds.  Some would not like it - but I LOVE it!  It is just natural and that is what I want.  I get a lot of compliments.

Years ago, when the backyard bed was first made and planted.  Lots of individual plants - annuals and perennials.  Even had room for odds and ends.

It has changed drastically now.  Lots of poppies and lilies and there is N.E. aster, coreopsis, phlox and echinacea.  But it all grows where it wants and has filled the entire bed, in some places you almost do not see the border.  The only weeding that truly gets done there, is pulling out poison ivy, which grows prolifically around here.  I can't really use any weed killer without harming plants.

A version of now.  It does its thing!!  I always have color from something, and the hardiest have survived.

The only annuals I have now, are in pots and baskets here and there.  It does save money.  I used to buy a ton of plants - boy, even back in the day it was expensive.

Like I said, my veggie garden is different.  It has order.  I have leaf mulch in the garden and I have a weed fabric down in my rows.  But in between rows is just leaf mulch. 

I saw a meme the other day that was appropriate for veggie gardens.

Even if the rows are crooked - you get veggies.  Even if you have some weeds - you get veggies.  Don't be super OCD about it.  

I guess my style has changed a lot over the years.  From orderly and neat - to natural and survival of the fittest!  Survival for me as well - I guess I like it so much, as I get older, because I sure do dislike weeding.

I have always admired natural flower gardens and wildflowers and just the way God has let it grow.

I mean there is no real order in the woods and it is beautiful - so why not my flowers.

Now I am crazy about mowing and trimming - I do not like weeds in the fence rows and long grass - but love the variety of flowers.

What do you do, if you have flowers?  Do you just let your garden grow or are you an orderly person?

Kind of curious to hear other viewpoints.

Have a lovely day and take some time to enjoy all nature has to offer.

 

Just Dance - Doing Your Best

 Happy June to you all!  Goodness, how last month flew by. Here we are another new month, another chance to start again if you need.  Not everything happens the first time we try!

Hope you are all good today.

It is a sunny morning in the upper 50's at the moment.  The moon was huge and bright before dawn this morning.  Going to the 70's and breezy today.  It is a little dewy right now, so once it dries some, back out in the yard to finish mowing I will go.  The widows are open and fresh air coming in.  Yesterday was gorgeous as well.

We sure can't choose the music - can we?  We just have to do the best we can, with what we get and DANCE the best dance you can.

Life sure isn't always fair.  Things happen, bad things to good people.  We don't always understand why.  I am sure that someday, it may all be understood.  Lessons in life (I believe that is what a lot is) can teach us things and how to be stronger.

It can be anything from illness, to accidents, to inflation, to jobs, to just daily life.  We cannot always choose the happenings, but we can choose how we react.  That is huge!  

Life gets us ALL down now and then - but I try my darndest to make something positive from it.  To go out and do something good, or be extra nice to someone, or to just help in some way.  It just makes me feel better inside, and I know it helps someone else.  Win-win!!!

Sometimes, we are just lucky!  Although I think it is more than luck, I think we experience God moments.  Yesterday I was going out early to run to the store.  I was heading out the door, then stopped and turned around and came back in to give Bitsy a squeeze and a kiss.  Left and got to the end of the street and there was a terrible accident - right where I would turn onto main road.  It had JUST happened, as people were jumping out of cars to go see if anyone needed assistance.  Someone pulling out from our street got t-boned!  

I just saw that as a moment, that I stopped and my schedule changed by a scant few seconds - could that have been me?  I don't know - but I sure stopped and thanked God and prayed for those involved.

Listen to THAT voice when you hear it!!!!!!

Even things as simple as going to the store - can be moments that you just have to DANCE and do your best.  Prices are up, YOU have to be vigilant and look and hunt for bargains.  You can make your own dance to the current music.  I noticed yesterday that Kroger has lowered a lot of prices, and more and more people were looking for clearance and deals.  I even had a woman say, 'excuse me for stopping, I was just looking at the clearance'.  I told her that is what I do and basically all I buy!  I totally understood. 

Just do what you can where you are and with what you are given.

We lose people in our lives, and we are so sad and lonely.  But I think God was maybe saving that person from worse things.  Or their job here was done - now it is our turn, to do what we must to keep that person 'alive' in hearts and minds.  To learn.  It is all part of the story of life, and we need to make good from it.  It only seems right.

So whatever life throws at you - make the best of it.  I know easy to say and hard to do sometimes!  Been there and done that - but I really do feel this way.

Get out there and DANCE and SHINE and give LOVE out in this world.  It sure needs it.  You need it.  We all need it.

I wish you each the best day.  God loves you!

Thank you for being here and being my friends!

Weekly wrap Up 5/31

 Hello to everyone.  Hope this finds you all doing well.  Here we are at the end of another month - the 5th month of the year.  Amazing.  This is the end of meteorological spring in the U.S.

I have started noticing a few lightening bugs at night.  The garden is in and the flowers are planted and so many are blooming.  

We have no rain in sight this week.  It looks to be very nice.  Cool and breezy mornings, and warm/hot afternoons.  Super sleeping weather later at night.  The hummingbirds are showing up a lot more now.  I have kittens that seem to be thriving, just over a week old.

There has been a big racoon showing up a lot, so I have had to make some changes on feeding the cats.  I don't want to encourage the racoon to stick around, nor can I afford to pay to feed it as well.  Those things eat ALL they find.

We have had 2 houses sell on my block, and another went up for sale yesterday.  Sigh.  The only good part of that is what they are selling for - goodness, real estate has gone up around here.

All in all, it has been a good week.

My frugal week:

• I have been deadheading plants, cutting and pulling weeds and poison ivy (it thrives here).  Of course I have gotten a poison rash - not too bad
• I have picked lettuce 2X this week
• Got to mow the entire yard after all the rain & trimmed
• Got the soaker hose placed in the garden - for just in case.  Too much to water it all by hand with a watering can & too far back
• Airing the house every day - get a lovely cross breeze
• Made hard boiled eggs & egg salad
• Used the last little bit of watermelon with a couple of mandarins and a sample size bottle of vodka (like airline size) to make a fruity faux sorbet.  The vodka keeps it from freezing solid, but can't be tasted - very refreshing
• Had a sweet craving - so I made a no-bake, lo-cal cheesecake.  Not the heathiest thing, but it sure is tasty & refreshing
• Laundry & using dehumidifier water as well, line dried
• General house cleaning
• Trimmed the back bushes again - they always look so nice when freshly done
• NO shopping at all this week - didn't go anywhere
• Lots of walks and talking with neighbors and porch setting a reading
• I gave myself a ME afternoon/evening one day.  Trimmed hair, root touch-up, spa like evening.  Soaking, bubbles, defoliating, facial, pedi, lots of lotion........  it was so nice
• Did a fix to get air in the greenhouse for the babies.  It gets way too hot in there in the afternoon - so had to do something.  I found an old screen in the garage (goes to nothing!) and I can open the greenhouse door and place the screen and bungy in place.  Keeps an air flow and still gives a bit of protection.  Pip wasn't sure at first - but she loves it now.  She can come out on the deck and visit with the other cats and still hear her babies, and she also lays inside in front of the screen now.  Also hung an old towel at the back of the greenhouse (near babies) to act as a shade.  The greenhouse is tarped too.   I close the door back up at night.  Yeah, I am a bit obsessive!

                Still lets her have a bit of security, but fresh air as well (she has a cat door to get in/out)

Meals this past week:

Bean & cheese quesadillas

Egg salad sandwich, watermelon

Brats on buns, little salad, yogurt

Homemade pizza & side salad - 2X

Spanish style rice w/peppers, white beans and cheese added

L/O rice and a salad

Just eating kind of light, not a lot of meat, but using beans and cheese.  Eating all leftovers and cooking from things I have on hand.  Days that I worked outside, I just didn't feel like cooking a lot - so leftovers were great.

How was your week?  Gardens in?  Growing?  Did you find any good deals this week?  I just love hearing from everyone and hearing what everyone is up to.  It always gives us all other ideas.

Have a wonderful week ahead, and I hope you all stay safe and healthy.  Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

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

Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Psalms 34:19

Lord, we come forth saying thanks for all our blessings.  Help us each to realize that You are always with us.  You help us through grief, help heal bodies, help heal families and protect us all.  We may not always get answered the way we think we should, but things happen as You see and in Your time.  Sometimes letting go is an answer, as hard as that is to understand in present time.  Help us all be kinder and gentler people and help us all know we can always help someone else.  AMEN

A Kitchen Thing or 2! (Tips and Recipes)

 Howdy all.  I sure hope all are well and safe this morning.

It is a lovely morning here.  In the upper 60's going to around 80*.  The sun is out at the moment.  It was a very dewy start to the day.  Dew was just hanging on everything and still is.  It was a little foggy around here, I bet it is heavier outside the city.

No rain in sight for the next few days.

                    I just love this picture of the old kitchen.  I would love to have this today!

Today just a tip or two and an easy-peasy recipe or two for summer.

MEXICO CITY DIP

1 - 16 oz. container of sour cream

1 1/2 C thick and chunky salsa

4 green onions chopped

chips

Combine salsa, green onions and sour cream together and chill.  

Serve with tortilla chips or Fritos.

**Remember cottage cheese can be used in place of sour cream in most dishes.  Blend until completely smooth in the blender and use as you would sour cream.

JALAPENO BITES (different)

1 - 12 oz. can jalapeno peppers, drained (or equivalent)

8 oz. of shredded cheddar cheese

4 eggs, beaten

1/4 C milk

Preheat oven to 375* (190C)

Seed and chop peppers and place in the bottom of a 9" pie pan.  Sprinkle cheese over peppers.

Combine eggs and milk and pour over cheese.  Bake about 25 minutes until firm.  Cut into small slices and serve.  Great for breakfast, a side or an appetizer!

** Remember - 99% of the dates you see on food products are NOT expiration dates.  Almost all food does NOT have the word expiration on the packaging!!!!!  It is 'best by' or 'sell by'.  Food does not magically go bad by those dates - they are suggestions.

**Grocery shopping tips:

1.  Take your time and hunt for deals - compare prices and know your prices

2.  Bigger is not always better nor is smaller.  You have to do the math.  This week I noticed 1/2 gallons of milk advertised for 1.49 - gallons never sell for more than 2.49 gallon at the same store!  Unless you can't lift the weight of the gallon - it is the best price.  That happens a lot here.  Figure the pricing out - don't just buy w/o checking

3.  Be willing to try store brands and generic at least once.  Many times, they are the same product manufactured by the same place as brand name - just a different label.

4.  Make a list.  Know what you are after - get it first then check for clearance.

ORANGE BUTTER

1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened

2 Tbsp.  grated orange rind

1/4 C orange juice

Beat butter and grated rind together until fluffy.  Gradually add in juice and beat until well blended.  Store in frig and serve with hot biscuits (scones) or toast.  

What a treat!!

** If you see a great deal on onions or bell peppers - buy them.  Chop, slice or julienne.  Place in baggies and freeze.  They freeze well and are good in so many dishes when cooking.

BLACK OLIVE SPREAD

3 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 - 2 oz. can chopped black olives, drained

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Party rye or pumpernickel bread (or even Triscuits)

Beat cream cheese until smooth and then stir in olives and cheddar cheese.

Spread of party bread.

Serve cold or broil and serve hot (hot is so yummy)

* I have subbed chopped green olives in this as well - whatever you like.  Seriously you could use chopped jalapenos as well!

Super for a lunch bite or appetizers

DON'T WASTE - GET CREATIVE

You can soften cream cheese and mix with about anything leftover for a great spread to use with chips, bread or crackers.  Leftover nuts (chopped), tuna, chicken, roast beef, ham, hard boiled eggs. etc.  Chop them and add to cream cheese.  Use relish, chopped onions or chopped pickles or celery to add extra flavor.  You can also add a bit of mayo or salad dressing to thin a little.

Add anything you have and make a fun, inexpensive and new item for the table and to fill the bellies.

No need to throw food away - get creative.

ALSO - you can any of those things to pasta as well - to create a pasta salad for lunches or a side

**Remember to ALWAYS check your receipt before leaving the store.  Not only may you have been over charged or charged twice, BUT a dishonest clerk could have added a cash back option to your ticket and kept the cash!!  It can happen.  I usually go to the same cashier every time I go if possible.

**Never throw out old stale bread (unless moldy).  Use to make breadcrumbs or croutons or make bread pudding.  Makes excellent French toast.  Use to make individual bread pizzas (fun for lunches).  Toast - and top with eggs fixed the way you like and maybe a patty of sausage or bacon and some cheese - yummy breakfast.  Use instead of biscuits (scones) toasted and topped with gravy.  Just USE IT!

**Don't have conventional buns for your burgers?  Well, shape the burgers for what you DO have.  You can use sliced bread, oval French or Italian bread, oblong for hot dog buns or long rolls.  No need for a grocery run - use what you have!

Just an idea or two to jazz things up a little and to stretch those food dollars.  Food is expensive and when you throw it away you might as well throw dollar bills into the trash can!  Use it up.  Have fun with the food in your kitchen - you may just find a new FAVORITE for your table.

Hope this gives someone a new idea or two.   Get creative!!!!!

Have a super day - make it a fun one.

SMILE!

Deals, Shopping and What You Stock

 Hello my friends.  Hope you are all well this fine day.  It is a wet day here.  Not sure what time it started raining during the night but woke to a little thunder and rain.  It is muggy and extremely cloudy.  It stopped for the moment, and I got to get out and feed the cats - they were hungry.

Boy everything is just vibrant and almost glowing this morning.  The grass is so bright green.  I have all kinds of lilies that are shooting up buds - Tiger and D'Oro - tons of them.  It will soon be a sea of orange and yellow out back.

I just want to touch on sales and stocking for moment.  What are some things that you always buy?

Whether sale or not - I am always stocking up on cat food - both dry and canned.  That is probably the one item I do not always get on sale.  I do get special deals from Kroger (as they keep track) on things I buy, and cat food is usually in the mix.  I get the best deals I can - but it is always in demand here.

I do not leave a grocery store WITHOUT buying cat food, in some form.

Other things I always watch for - are sales and clearance on certain items.  Whenever I see a good price on TP and ground meat - I BUY IT!  It doesn't matter if I need it now, I will always use it.  I am always stocked very well on both. 

I used to buy pasta just about every time I went shopping.  I now have a good supply, and have it sealed to last, so I am good on that.  I got so many good deals on all sorts of pasta.  Same with all sorts of dried legumes.

I keep my eyes open for dish soap and laundry soap as well.  Sales and clearance only!!!!  When I find it, I get it.

I know many look for the super cheap case deals on canned veggies, and then on turkeys and hams at the holiday sales.  I do keep an eye open for sure.

I often buy garden seeds when they are on clearance to keep for the future.  They last well, when kept dry!

What are the things you ALWAYS buy when the price is right?  

I know this is a shorter post - but I am curious what you all do.  It might help others to see what you stock up on - new ideas they hadn't thought of.

What say you??????

Have a wonderful day and give thanks for all gifts.

Come Sit and Chat

 Hello all.  Here we are in the last week of the month again!  Time flies when you're having fun!  I hope this finds you all well, and I hope everyone had a nice weekend.

I stayed home all weekend and just enjoyed quiet time.

It is a 60's morning here.  The sunrise was so beautiful this morning - the pinks and oranges were something.  I was standing at the kitchen window looking at it and up flies a hummingbird for a drink!  What a great way to start the day.

I often wonder about folks who don't get up early and never see the glory of God in the skies, and I think about what they are missing.  It sure is something.

Last evening at sunset (about 9PM) the horizon was just gorgeous and bright pink in EVERY direction!  WOW.

Come sit with me and chat for a while.  I just love my walkway up to the porch.  Lots of red, white and blue flowers - I have my little yard flags out (you can't see the 2nd one).  Lots of sunflowers coming up and will soon bloom thanks to the birds!

Sunday the race got completed 100%, with no rain.  That was a good thing.  I hear that it poured just after the race ended in Speedway. My neighborhood did not get a drop - it was just cloudy.

I am not a huge race fan, but did see bits of it on TV, and the ending was sure something!  It set records and made history for the closest finish ever.  It was pretty darn amazing; I even caught myself yelling at the TV.

I watched the opening ceremonies and listened to Taps (and cried), then I went out to the porch, and I got to see the flyover of the fighter jets at my house.  I could hear them all the way out to the track - it was a muffled rumbling sound, then all of a sudden there they were and that noise is something.  They went directly over the house and were still in the missing man formation.

I know many may think I am nuts, but I find it so moving.

Thought I would show you my little kitchen lettuce and green onion 'garden' outside the kitchen door.

It is just me, so I don't need a lot - and this works perfectly.  I can continue to plant onions.  I had some fresh lettuce yesterday on a sandwich - YUM.

I dropped my glasses last week on the driveway (cement).  Now I have a couple scratches right in the middle of one of the lenses!  Anyone have an easy 'hack' to help cover the scratches until I can get my eyes checked and get new glasses?  I can still wear them for now, but it is noticeable and a little annoying.  I don't have to wear them all the time and can just wear readers for close up, but I do wear them some.

Any help?

Boy oh boy the tulip tree is messy right now.  Flowers are dropping all over.  Especially after a wind or rain.  This is looking out the bedroom window.

This was how it looked before I could get out to mow and trim and those darned petals were all over.  By the way, I did get to mow and trim yesterday - so happy.  The petals are cleaned up for the moment - until it rains later today!

Well, there are new members on the little homestead!  Pip, who I thought was a boy cat, had babies!  Yep - I try to get the females fixed first - but I made a mistake with Pippy.  She is so small herself and has the littlest head and neck - just so darn cute (about 9 months old).  I believe there are 3!!!!  A black one, a black & white one, and an all-white one!!!!  Now her momma and daddy were both solid black, and so is Pip and her sibling - and here is an all-white one, I figure old Tom must be the daddy! (he is b & w).  She has them in a secluded area in the greenhouse and lets me take a look from a distance. They aren't even a week old and so tiny.  Hopefully I get to see them close up soon!

So, I will have other choices coming up in about 7-8 weeks or so.  Sigh!

I am so upset; I hate having to give animals away and separate them.  You know me, the old softy.

Well, I guess I better get busy and do some outdoor work before rain comes in.  

Thanks for sitting and 'listening' to me talk.  Join in the converstion.

I hope you all have a lovely day.

Thank you for being here!!!!