A is for Apple & Yummy Fall Eating

 Hello all you lovely folks.  So happy to have you hear this morning and hoping all are well and safe.

It is pretty cloudy out right now, yet it is 66*F.  Yesterday got back to about 80*.  We have rain coming into tonight and overnight.  Yesterday I got a little shower in the afternoon, but all it did was make it humid!

I did do a bit more yard work early yesterday, and may go out this morning and get a bunch of peppers and green tomatoes - we have a small chance of frost on Saturday morning.

It is really supposed to cool and get windy after the rain for a couple days.  Back to good by Monday.

I slept horribly last night - not sure what was up with that!  I looked at the clock at 5:30 this morning, and thought I will get up in a few minutes - then woke up at 6:30!!  I never get up that late.

Fall is APPLE season!  I love me some apples - I like several different varieties.  I tend to lean towards a good crispy one that is a combo of sweet and tart.

Apples can be fixed and eaten in so many ways other than just fresh.  I am a fan of fried apples, mom used to fix them often in the fall.  We had a couple of apple trees, so that was a free food!

You can make cobbler, crisp, pie, or sauce.  Apple cider is also a fall favorite - Mmmmmm.

A good fresh apple and peanut butter is a tasty treat and it is filling.

Apples are full of vitamins and minerals and like the old saying states - "an apple away keeps the doctor away"!  I eat apples often (all year) as well as citrus.  I do love my sweets at times - but give me fruit and I happy!

Now there are also fun and maybe some not quite as healthy ways to eat apples as well.  Lots of people have campfires and fall gatherings and I think either of these would be fun, for children and adults alike.

I saw this on FB and thought it was a neat idea.  Water in a crockpot - add jars of chocolate and/or caramel for dipping and apple wedges on sticks.  A muffin tin with toppings.  How fun is that?  I think this would be a great way to have a festive display of apples and goodies.

I have shown this one before - but it is a fun one as well.  Slice apples and insert sticks, then drizzle with melted chocolate and add goodies and let them set up.

Simple and fun ways to make the fall season a bit more festive.  I think youngsters would love to come home from school to the slices for a snack!  

I really like a good caramel apple.  I don't get them often, and I usually cut them up to eat - oh those things are messy - but so good! 

I hope you can get some good apples this fall and enjoy them in your favorite way.  Now is the time to get good pricing.  Stores are even carrying multiple varieties.  Maybe you have your own tree and can get them for free.  I wish I had an apple tree.

What is your favorite way to eat apples??

I remember as a kid I used to sit behind the garage and stuff myself with green apples - mom always told me I would end up with a belly ache!!!  I sure did love apples, even back then.

Have a super weekend and relax and enjoy each other.

Have a great day!

Work - There Always Seems to be Plenty!

 Hello to all this midweek day. Goodness, we are almost halfway through another month!!  

It is very warm here for October.  Yesterday it got to 87* and I had to have the AC on for a while.  That is crazy.  Only in the upper 70's today (maybe 80), with rain on the way for a couple days it seems.  I love the warmer days, understand I am not complaining!  It was 74*F at 6AM this morning!

Ever feel this way??  I do, every time I get into a big clean.  It seems I make a bigger mess than I had beforehand!

I really don't like AI at all, but I truly had to laugh at this picture.  I just see myself.  LOL

Do you have any chores you really hate to do?  Put them off, until you just have to tackle them?  

Mine is the abyss (basement).  Oh, how I hate thinking of getting it all cleaned and cleared.  I usually walk down there, move a couple things - stand there and stare feeling overwhelmed - and come back up and close the door!  Well, this is the week.  Can't be out in the rain, so I have decided to be in the dungeon!  As you can see I have many names for it!

I did get a lot of outside work done yesterday before the heat really set in.

Anybody have a huge project that they really want to get finished?  Just so you feel calm and good that it is done.

I am curious, do people still have certain days for certain chores?  I know Momma always did laundry on Monday - I imagine ironing was Tuesday or Wed.  I am not sure what she did on other days, but everything had a day.

Like, every Saturday evening was hamburgers and homemade fries or fried potatoes.  Maybe baked beans as well.  Sunday at noon was the big family sit down dinner - with lots of good food.  Fried chicken or ham was usually on the menu - sometimes roast.  I remember chicken more than any other - it was a cheap meat and Mom sure made it the best I have ever had.

So what are your cleaning days or schedules like?  Or are you more like me, and just do things when it so strikes you to do them?  I do not do laundry every week - so I just do it whenever.  I clean whenever I get the urge or notice something that makes me cringe!!!  No set schedules here.

But I do know, there is never an end to things.  Something always needs to be purged, cleaned, scrubbed, etc.  Get it done, and it is time to start over.  Dusting is my never-ending chore.  My house isn't messy (it's just me), but it sure does get dusty with the windows open a lot.

Hope you all have a good day and don't work too hard!

Simplifying - Don't Over Think It!!!!

 Howdy all!  Hope everyone is well and safe today.

It is 69*F this morning and going into the 80's again.  We hit 87* yesterday.  I turned the AC on for one cycle late in the afternoon, and the house was good after that.  I had a very comfortable night, slept so good.  I sure resisted getting up this morning.  It is currently 78* in the house.  I will be opening windows in a bit, once it gets light out.  With temps like this it is hard to believe we are almost halfway through October.  Time to get things done.  Rain is coming later on!  So are cooler temps.

Isn't this the truth????

It sure is for me.  Just sitting with my Bits in the house and getting snuggles.  Watching and playing with kitties outdoors.  A nice breeze coming through the window.  Good simple food that just tastes so good.  Wonderful neighbors and friends.  A fall scented candle.  Home!

I think we tend to over complicate things so often.  It isn't about what you have or what you can buy - it is about feeling peace that comes from within and all those little things that happen each day.

I think it is beautiful to be the one who doesn't chase after more.  Doing what feels important to YOU, doesn't always match others - that is fine.  You do you.

Simplicity happens in all kinds of ways.  Having less.  Cooking with what we have.  Enjoying the simpler things in life.  Using up what we have - maybe finding new ways for things.  Keeping life basic and real and simple.  That is what makes it feel so comforting in my book.

Along those lines, I give a couple little ideas that were just "duh" moments for me.  Sometimes it takes a long time to figure out that simple ways work wonderfully!

I was dusting and cleaning last week, and I happened to notice the lampshade.  It was really dusty.  It is a linen type of fabric.  I usually use the attachment from the vacuum to clean it, and it really never does the best job and I worry about the suction on the shade.

What did I do?  I had this idea that worked perfectly!!!!

I used the sticky lint roller thing.  Oh my goodness, the shade is totally lint free and it was the easiest thing ever.  Took just a minute to do and no more worry about the suction on the shade (it is older).  I will never clean the shade any other way.  I can do this often and not worry about damage.  Something I had and can use over and over.

So many people over complicate eating.  It doesn't take a lot of courses to make a good meal.  It just takes good wholesome food, (even if it is one thing) that fills you and tastes good.

I know not everyone can probably eat them, but potatoes are just so versatile and can be made in so many ways.  They are pretty darn cheap and can stretch a meal to feed many, if need be.

Just a few ideas!!!!!!!!!  There are many more ideas as well.  I like potatoes, as they really do provide substance and help us feel full, they are pretty cheap, and very, very versatile.

Let's talk about cleaning products.  You walk down the aisle and there are literally hundreds of different products!  All have a "specific" use!!!  Well, let us think about this for a moment.  Most of the laundry products are highly comprised of water!  Duh.  Then they have perfume added.  Other cleaning items are either lots of water or very caustic chemicals (just smell some of them).  All are in plastic containers!  What are we thinking?  I make my own cleaning products at home using basic things.  Baking soda, vinegar, citrus peels, and yes sometimes just water and clean soap!  I have never made laundry detergent, I know many do - but I use very little of it.  Never do I use what they recommend.  I do not use fancy stuff for fabric softener.  I either use vinegar in the rinse (no smell by time it is done) or nothing.  I use peroxide for bleach - nothing toxic.  On top of all the water, plastic and toxic crap we are buying we are spending a small fortune for it!!!!  We have so much we could use right in the pantry.

Broth - have you purchased broth at the grocery lately?  It is very expensive - sometimes between $4 - $6 a box.  Look at the ingredients.  Again, lots of water and salt - probably nothing that is really real meat in it - maybe bouillon.  Make your own - it is so simple to make and it is basically FREE.  You are using what many throw away.  Sure, you use water - but you put real meat bones or scraps in it and any herbs you want.  You can do the same with veggie scraps for veggie broth.  Put in in a pot, turn on the heat, and go about doing your stuff around the house.  It takes care of itself.  Can or freeze.

Just an idea or two and looking at simplifying a little differently perhaps.

We often just get in the habit of buying or doing things the same week after week, and when we really stop and think, we can see new ideas!  

Being a little more conscious of our daily habits, really can simplify life and it can also save a little.

I love my calm, quiet and simple life.  I just kind of go with the flow and keep a low profile.

Hope you love your life as well!

Have a beautiful day.

Weekly Wrap Up 10/11

 Hello to all this fine Sunday.  I hope you are all well and safe.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends this weekend!

Hoping that all our southern friends are safe from any harm or damage from the hurricane.

It is 60* this morning, and now dry.  We had a little soft rain last evening late.  The ground sure does need it.  Yesterday stayed pretty cloudy, but it was nice in the 70's.  I have been out to feed already, and it is very cloudy and foggy, and it actually felt like there was a fine mist.  I sure have been enjoying the warmer days that continue - I know all good things come to an end eventually.

Thought this looked festive and fall-ish!

My frugal week:

• Made a small pot of broccoli cheese soup, with a potato diced up in it
• Mowed and trimmed
• Did lots of yard clean up, pulling, cutting and clearing.  Put away the hose from out back
• NO heat or AC this week, and windows open a lot
• Did a big dust
• Darning socks
• HARVEST - lots of peppers, a few tomatoes and cukes
• Went to grocery of course for cat food.  Did get milk - 2.49/gal., eggs - 18/$2, and fruit - apples and mandarins and a few grapes
• I stopped a got 2 loaves of Artesano Brioche style bread - FREE.  It is thick cut and can be used for many things - toast, garlic bread, French toast, stuffing, etc.
• Shredded up the oldest 1 lb. cheese I had (cheddar) and froze - froze on a pan and then bagged
• Did a lot of walking and picking up trash (it has been windy)
• Picked a bouquet of NE asters
• Washed windows and doors, and sills and jambs, and frames and mirrors (I get on a roll!)  Then went on to stove and frig and kitchen floor!
• Made a small batch of biscuits
• Meals from home and using what I have
• Laundry in cold and hung it to dry
• Working of all the normal stuff

Budget meals this past week:

Cheesy broc./potato soup

Chicken Lo Mein (made w/spaghetti) and salad

Broccoli soup

Fish and fries (air fryer) and tomatoes

Cheese/sausage stuffed banana peppers (air fryer) and salad

Sausage gravy and biscuits, toms & cukes

Dbl. jalapeno/cheeseburger and steamed broccoli

SNACKS - milkshake, popcorn and fruit

Cream cheese, cheddar and sausage stuffed banana peppers topped with more cheddar cheese.  10 minutes at 360* in air fryer.  They were so yummy.

I think I am starting to get back on track.  The week before this, I just didn't feel like doing much.  I am regaining my energy and my oomph!  I am so grateful I can still do so many things.  This week will probably be picking most of the garden, as next weekend gets much cooler, after a couple days in the 80's.  I guess we will see what the week brings forth.

How was your week?  I sure do hope everyone is safe - so many things going on weatherwise.  Did you get any good deals?  Any gardening still being done?  

Wishing you all a splendid week ahead, stay healthy, and wishing all well.  So glad we had so many new folks stop by and post this week - I am so grateful for you all.

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

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"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day."

Matthew 6:34

Dear Lord, we give thanks for all our many blessings.  Thank you for the opportunity to be here this fine day.  Yes, please help us each to know that Your will be done, and all the worry, stress and anxiety that we feel, does nothing to help us.  May we lift all our worries and troubles to You and may we always praise the way You handle them in our lives.  I know I am guilty and I do try to release worry and fear and ask for help as I struggle with this.    Please continue to be with all and lay Your healing and calming hands on all.  AMEN

Be the Word - Be the Change

 Hello to all - so happy to have you here.  I hope you are all safe and well this fine day.

This morning it is 54*F and fairly clear.  I have been out already to feed everyone, fed Bits, had my breakfast drink, and contimplating the day.

Yesterday was another beautiful day here.  Full blue skies and sunny.  It got into the low 80's yesterday.  Today should be in the 70's.  I was looking at a forecast prediction map for my area - and the rest of the month looks pretty darn good.  Nothing cold and nothing too hot.  I am loving this.

I challenge everyone today to be the ONE that CHANGES someone's day!  Be the one with a kind word, a smile, a helping hand, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry one, etc.  Be the one.  It could change NOT just a day for someone, but perhaps a week or month - even a life!  That is pretty huge, considering it could possibly just take something little on our part.

We have no idea what is going on in other people's lives behind closed doors.  It could be anything.  Health issues, abuse, financial woes, spiritual struggles, loneliness, depression, anything.

Just something as small as a smile or kind word, could maybe make them realize that they are seen or heard and that they matter!

What a gift to give.  AND it costs you nothing!  AND it could be the best gift someone ever received!

I am so grateful to have you all here.  I love to see new people comment.  I earn nothing from this little blog, but I receive so much.  I see lives that are helped, lives that are touched, and I see strangers that have become caring and thoughtful friends - from all over the world and all walks of life.  That makes me smile each and every day!!!!  THANK YOU!

I hope you all have a great weekend and remainder of the week.  May you enjoy good weather and safety, and wishing you all health and happiness.

Go out and make a change!!!!

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Using What You Have and Making More!

 Good morning all - and happy Wednesday.  Hoping you are all well and safe.  Please know that I think of all of you that don't stop by often.  Wishing you all well.

It is a cool morning here - 52*F at 6AM.  Looks to get to 80* or above today and dry.  All good with me.  Yesterday was another day of perfection weatherwise - it was so beautiful.

When out feeding the cats, I noticed smoke coming from a neighbor's chimney!  He is in his 90's and kind of frail - so he must have been chilly!  My house was 72* this morning.  Still haven't turned on the furnace.

I understand some of our northern neighbors will be getting snow this weekend.  YIKES!  That is a nasty four-letter word in my book!!!

I recently saw someone on one of the FB groups I belong too, post a recipe I just had to share.  She said she really likes good tasting chocolate and says it has gotten so pricey, that she decided to try something different.

She said this is wonderful. It is something I will definitely try, as I have everything here to make it!  Pretty simple and saves a trip to the store.

I really like all kinds of patties and burgers - made from lots of things.  I love a good hamburger, I have made tuna and chicken patties and I like a combo of beef/pork or even ground turkey made into burgers.  I also like potato cakes and veggie fritters as well - they could all be made into a sandwich if one chose to.

I have made bean burgers as well.  Very tasty and easy and uses what you have.

It sure is worth giving it a try.

Click on recipe to enlarge for easier reading.

It is easy to halve the recipe.  1 can - and a little lesser on other items, still using 1 egg.  Use whatever beans you have - or homemade beans.  Remember 1 can is about 15 oz. - close to 2 cups.  You know that to me, close counts!!!!!

I have made these with black beans and with red beans and they are really very good.

Just a couple of fun things to make at home, when you might be out of other things.  I love knowing how to make things differently.  I love the chocolate bar idea - that could be made into all kinds of shapes and moulds.

Here is a notice I saw yesterday - also something GOOD to know if you are around an Aldi!!!!!

Nice!!!!!  October sounds like the month to stock up at Aldi!  I will be going and looking around at some point soon.  It has been a while since I have gone in.

Well, you know we are all about stretching our dollars and saving when we can around here!  I want to help as many folks as will listen. 

Sometimes we talk recipes, sometimes finance, and sometimes just caring and loving.  Hopefully it all makes a difference for someone.

Have a great day and be sure to SMILE today!

Don't Fall For It!

 Hello and happy Tuesday to all.  I surely hope this finds you all well and safe.

It is a chilly morning here - at 48*F at 6AM.  Looks to get into the 70's again today and be another lovely day.  Yesterday was another perfection day - 70's, and a sky of pure blue - not a single whisp of a cloud.  I did get to spend a lot of time outdoors.

Still no heat or AC being used here.  It was 72* in the house this morning when I got up.  All good.

I believe the hummingbirds have gone to the south this season.  It has been a couple days since I have seen one.  The feeders are still out.  There are lots of stink bugs and box elder bugs around - a sure sign of fall.  And I keep seeing grasshoppers - that is unusual.

Trees are still green for the most part.  That will probably change over the next couple weeks.

Commercials. Ads.  It is on TV, radio, on YouTube, on FB, in magazines - we are surrounded by the distracting noise.  It wants you!!!!!!  They want you to think you NEED to have what they are selling.  They try the best they can to make it oh so attractive.  They want you to think you can't live without it. They try to convince us that what we have and how we live, isn't enough.

NOISE - all of it.

I really despise commercials, for the most part.  I will go out of my way to NOT buy things I have seen on TV or in ads over and over.  Their crazy advertising dollars are not working on me.

I don't fall for it.  I can make about anything I want or find something I have that will work as well.  Truth be known, none of us need that much!!!!!

Sales, clearance, weekly deals, odd stores, using what we have, second hand, and just saying NO to all the noise SAVES MONEY - YOUR MONEY!

Society may call us cheap - I call it smart to know how to live better and well on less.  We can have great meals for ourselves and our families, we can have a lovely and neat home, we can have an emergency fund for whatever may come up, we can beat the system!!!!!

It is a game - THEIR game - and we can play too!!

We all see and watch people buy and buy and have to have the newest and the biggest and shiniest.  They go into debt to get it!  They go to the after holiday "sales" and buy and buy - charging all along the way on the "sales" for stuff no one really needs.  Then they pay and pay with interest on all those "sales" they got!  Make sense?  NOPE!  That stuff cost them far more than it was ever worth.

It pays to stop and think how many hours one has to work - to purchase THE thing!

I know most of us here know these things.  There is always someone new coming on board, and the goal here is to teach a better way.  Life can be soooooo good with less - it really can.  

It becomes your new normal and you will find the noise gets quiet and life gets a bit slower and you enjoy a lot more.

So slow down, turn down the noise and have that life that the spenders can't imagine.

Have a beautiful day my friends.