Surprising Finds & Changing Things Up (FREE)

 Howdy all.  Thanks for stopping by to read and chat.  Hope everyone is doing well today.

It is in the middle 40's this morning, going into the 60's.  I can handle that just fine.  It is going to get pretty darn cold come the end of the week, at least for a couple days.  Time to get the water bowls ready to plug in!

You know I have been sorting and cleaning and decluttering years' worth of things in the basement - oh my!  I am finding all kinds of things I forgot about or have misplaced or just stored away - out of sight out of mind.  I will continue to show things as I find more.

Today will be a few pics - notice pricing on some of these things!

Do they even still make these?  Not sure where they were purchased, I can't put my finger on that price tag.  But I do know it is CHEAP!  It is a box full!  They seem fine.

I must have gotten these at a yard sale.  There is a complete box.  I have never used liners in the crockpot before - which is why I probably bought these.  Have you used them before?

I know these were cheap = so an inexpensive way to try them.

Both of these items were tucked away in a cabinet down in the basement for "safe keeping"!!  LOL!  I guess they were safe - as I have no memory of buying them.

Now I need to utilize them!

I have wondered about garden seeds if things ever went to hell in a hand cart in the world.  Well, I found a bunch of those as well.  I know they are old and many may not germinate - but some would.  Years ago, I planted Luffa seeds that my daddy had saved from more than 30 years prior and they came up!

I knew I had saved seeds, and I knew they were down there somewhere and I found them!!

                     Look at the prices of these - boy, it would be nice if seeds were still that cheap

There is a little bit of everything I could want.

Notice the old baby wipe or wet wipe container - that is a great use for those when empty.  They hold seed packets and keep them dry!

These were the last little banana peppers I found hiding in the garden before the weekend.  You can see next to my reading glasses that they are small.  But hey, they are still edible, and I can use them in something.  Waste not............

I have been cleaning upstairs as well.  Moving things around a little, although I can't move much, things are pretty much where they are.  I can move smaller things around and make it feel a little different.  I have 2 Rubbermaid drawer sets, one on each side of my stove.  The drawers are see through, so for years I had black poster board inside them, so you couldn't see through them.  My appliances are all white trimmed in black, so that worked.  I decided to change it up the other day.  I also have Coca Cola items in the kitchen, so there is some red as well.

So, here you have the updated version.  These give me a lot of extra storage, but not something you want to view.  The box on top (old tennis shoe box) - holds my little 4 x 6 picture album books that hold recipes.  I have a few recipes that have been pulled out that need refiling, as well.  I thought it prettied it up a bit.  I am thinking about getting a red rug for in front of the sink - to change up the look.  It makes me smile.  Sometimes we need to do something different and unpredictable just to make ourselves smile a little.

I just used red printer paper that I had on hand.  Works perfectly.

I am having fun finding things that I have put out of sight for long.  It is a lot of work going through cabinets, boxes and sorting and cleaning - but these little surprises make it more fun!

So, I continue of my journey of decluttering, and I will show you fun new finds.  

Ok, this could be really embarrassing, to have so many things tucked away that have been forgotten.  Yes, it could!  It kind of is - but now found again, they will be used or donated to bless someone else.

It is amazing how many things can be hidden away in such a small house, but it is the basement, and those seem to be catch-alls.

I am finding things to use, and redecorating a little and all for free.  That is my kind of stuff!

Have you ever found useful items that you forgot about?

Could you also be called a 'lightweight' hoarder??  LOL!!!!  (my new name for myself)

I hope you all have a sunshine kind of day! 

Daily gratitude:  I am so thankful for my friends and my family, and for my ancestors from the past.  I know have many good traits that came from them.

Weekly Wrap Up 11/8

 Hello to all and welcome to the 'corner'.  Hoping this is finding all well and safe.  I sure do worry about you all, when I don't hear something from you now and then.  Check in if you can!  We have some missing regulars - it worries me.

It is 34*F this morning and frosty - well, it finally happened here!  This is the coldest we have had in months!  The sun is out now and it looks pretty!

The sunrise was absolutely beautiful this morning.  The pinks were really something.  I always feel kind of sorry for folks who are still in bed, when the sunrise happens - it is just the most wonderful way to start a day.  God saying good morning.

My frugal week:

• Picked 14 more smaller green tomatoes hiding under the plants - that's it now
• Cleaned up my paperwork area - so needed
• Made whipped Jello
• Cleaned out the storm drain again, as we were expecting rain - it was packed with leaves and gunk.  It always amazes me that no one else will bother to clear it
• Did more basement cleaning and decluttering - keep finding things I forgot about!
• I went out on Tuesday to vote, then to the bank, then to the feed store, and then to WM - as I needed a few items I can't get any other place close by (new undies and bra).  I keep wondering why undies come in packs of 6 - are we supposed to go commando 1 day??  LOL
• Laundry cold, and hung to dry
• I have turned on the furnace the past 2 mornings to take the chill off :(
• One of the back bushes has gotten mal-formed over the past couple years - and to adjust in summer, makes the plant look ugly - so I fixed it and trimmed that side up.  Figure it can look bad over the winter.  Of course more leaves raked
• Used leftover broc./rice to add to other ingredients to make a small chowder (ate & froze some)
• Last evening I went out to feed the cats, and I found and nice handful of little banana peppers that I picked before frost - they are little but are still edible
• Using what I have and eating or freezing all leftovers

Meals this past week:

Chicken strips and tom, cuke, onion salad

Omelet, toast and sliced tomatoes

Grilled ham and cheese sandwich, fresh veggies w/ranch

Broccoli/cheese rice, smoked sausage, tomatoes

Veggie chowder

Tenderloin sandwich and salad

Chicken/mashed potato bowl

SNACKS - Jello, fruit in some form

I did chill a bit again this week.  I really need to get busy and get my list together for Christmas, and need to make my jelly for baskets.  Need to do some sewing as well.  It will be here before you know it.

I am still adjusting to the time change things.  I hate it.  I get up earlier, because my clock and those of the cats didn't change - and it gets dark now at 6PM - goodness, the days just seem to drag by.  I guess I need to find more things to occupy my time! (I have plenty to do)

How was your week?  Any deals this week?  Have you started getting ready for Christmas yet?  Decorated? I know many have.

Check in and let us know you are ok!!!!  I wish you all a great week ahead.

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

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I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all thy wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and exult in thee, I will sing praise to thy name, O Most High.

Psalms 9:1-2

Lord, thank You for all the many blessings we each receive every day.  Thank You for health and safety.  Please continue to hold those close, that need Your comforting and love.  Many may be suffering with illness, grief, sorrow, financial woes or job loss, so please help each one to see the light that will come, through trusting in You.  Your healing and love can change life.  May we all go forward this week with a grateful heart.  AMEN

My daily thankful:  I am so very thankful for the beauty of nature that God gives us each day.

More Yummies From the Pantry!

 Hello to all my lovely friends.  Glad to have you here, and so happy to be up and moving this morning - God has given me another morning!  Hope all are doing well.

Yesterday was a wet and gloomy day - much of the day.  We did get a few shots of sunshine, but pretty cloudy.  Today should be dry and cooler - in the upper 60's.  I think it is about 56* right now.

So far my house has stayed in the lower 70's - even when I have had windows open.  No heat as of yet!

If I feel chilly, I just put on something else - another layer.

I thought I would share a couple more ideas for using things we pretty much all have around the house, and in the pantry to make some yummy goodies.  It is nice just getting a bit creative and using what we have.  It sure can save a trip out and well, it does save dollars!

I had a sweet craving the other day - but didn't want to be too bad!  I sliced a cold apple and topped with a little "Magic Shell" ice cream topping I had.  The apples were cold, but it didn't seem to be setting quite right, so I stuck the plate of apples in the freezer for about 4-5 minutes and wahla - chocolate apples!  It was a tasty snack - mostly healthy and a bit of sweet.  You could even throw on a bit of salt.

If you don't have Magic Shell - just use a bit of chocolate syrup - it may be a bit messier, but it will still be tasty!  Use a fork!!!! Or you can just dip pieces!  

Chocolate and apples are so tasty together!

The next time you bake cookies - like chocolate chip or M & M, or peanut butter, etc. make them in a pan and not in round cookie form!  I do this often.  Use a baking pan with sides, we used to always call the pans jellyroll pans.  Place your batter and bake.  You can cut cookies into shapes or as small or large as you wish.  My family does this a lot on birthdays and decorates for a birthday cookie!

I like this idea - spread your batter, top with mini pretzels for each cookie you want - bake.  Cut so each cookie has a pretzel on top.  Sweet and salty - yum!

Ok, now that I have mentioned jellyroll - that sounds good too!!!  I haven't had one in years!

Mmmmmm - I have made similar recipes before - but this sounds so easy.  I have topped chili with cornbread mix and baked before.  This is things most everyone has hanging out in the kitchen - and will make a nice dinner for the family.  Add a salad or a side - yum.  Great way of stretching limited ingredients.

I am for sure trying this soon!  No knead bread!!!!  So easy and it sounds like it would be wonderful - it sure looks pretty.  I have everything here to do this.  It really doesn't get much easier for homemade bread!

Ok, just a little thinking outside the box again.  Hope this maybe gives someone an idea - or saves a trip to the store.  It is always smart to find new ways to use what we have.

I hope you all have a wonderful day, and that you are doing well.

SMILE and be cheerful.

My daily thankful:  I am very thankful to have a home - a roof over my head.  Warmth and safety.  Many don't.

"Vintage" Fun - and Learning Something New

 Hello all - hope this finds you all well.  I have missed seeing some of our regulars again lately.  I sure hope they check in soon. 

It is a wet morning here, which is much needed.  66*F this morning.  Looks to be going to cool down some after today, then back up next week.  Yesterday was absolutely beautiful.  It was a great day to be outside.  I had my windows open all day yesterday.

I have seen all the reports of the rains other areas are getting and it is horrid.  I have seen reports from homes washing away in CO, news from AZ flooding, and now FL - I saw a FB friend post yesterday that her house, yard, stables and everything is flooded (in FL) and that they were trying to help their animals.  It is all so very sad.  I hope none of you are experiencing any problems.  Prayers for all involved.

I came across these little charts of vintage kitchen phrases and measures and thought they were so fun.  I have heard and even said many - but there are some new ones even to me.

click on pic to enlarge for easier reading

There are some new ones on this chart for sure.  Have you heard of all of them?

Now I have heard of smidgen, pinch and dash - but never of hogshead, firkin or gill!!!  There are some funny ones to me.  Maybe some are foreign, I am not sure - but I like seeing these things.

Yes daddy - I learned something today!!!!!

Now this was listed as things our Grannies and Mommas always did to watch their dollars - they said no one does these anymore.  I do!!!

#6 - not really since it is just me.  But I do buy extra when they deal is right.

#27 - nope.  I keep my computer, and tv's plugged in.  Small appliances I do unplug unless needed

#29 - I am not the best at this.  Not that I buy a lot - but I don't always follow this rule

#4 - don't drink coffee (can be a huge savings from what I hear)

I pretty much do or have done the rest at some point.

I don't see it as old fashioned, just good old common sense.

What say you?  Are these all known to you?

I find things like this just fun, and they make you wonder where they came up with the phrases or words!

Wishing you all a super day.

Go out and chat, smile and be kind.

My daily thankful:  I am so thankful for my Lord and Savior and my faith, both sustain me.  I am thankful to know He carries me and holds me sweetly and lovingly.

Season of Giving

 Hello to all of you.  Thank you for stopping by and hoping you are all well and safe.

It is 62* outside early this morning and going into the 70's.  Looks to be the best day of the week - but not going to sneeze at any of them.  We are supposed to get rain tomorrow, which we truly do need.  I hope all of you out west are missing the crazy floods that are happening.  So very sad.

It seems that we tend to call this all the season of giving.  Shouldn't that be everyday all year long?  I think it should.  But I do realize that we all do a little more this time of the year.  Not sure if it is the thoughts of children not having a good season, if it is because it is cold, or if it is a spiritual thing.  Whatever it is - it is good.

I tend to call this the season of G's!  Giving, gratitude, Grateful, Goodness, God

Whether we provide a meal for someone, (or many), send an anonymous gift, give a toy or coat for a child, smile more often, give a helping hand, or just give a kind and thoughtful word to a stranger - may we all DO a bit more.

This can be a very bad time of the year for many.  Many are depressed and sad this time of the year - whether from life happenings or from S.A.D. disorder.  Whatever reason - maybe just a kind word or a smile might help.

Others are in their element this season.  Cooking, baking, gifting, decorating, partying, etc.

I truly hope that we can all have a good season and that we can all OPEN our hearts in some way to help another - it doesn't have to be with money or cost a thing.

Lift others up!  It will lift you as well.  Keep busy whether it is tidying your home or volunteering or visiting or socializing or just being a good neighbor.

Be grateful and show gratitude for all the things that happen daily - big or small.  A home, food, a place to lay your head, a life well lived, the giggle of a child, memories, pictures, snuggles, sunshine, the colors of fall (or spring), our senses, health, each day, a breeze, a job.....................

I wish you all a wonderful week and day.

Be what you want to see!!!!!!!  

SMILE

My daily thankful:  I am so thankful for each person that comes and visits here, and for all the people I now call friends - even though we have never met.

Weekly Wrap Up 11/1

 Happy November!  Welcome here and hoping this finds you all well.  It won't be any time until this year is over.  Time is flying by!

We had time change happen here over night - so I am up extra early today.  The inner body clock just works the same for me and for the animals - no matter what the wall clock says!

We had the warmest October on record since 1947 here in my area.  Amazing and this girl was loving it.  This coming week looks to be more near normal temps.  It is in the upper 50's right now going into 60's and pretty cloudy.  The trees have finely started turning around here.  Some are void of leaves, some are still green and others have beautiful colors.  I still have petunias, geraniums, and begonias in pots that are blooming!!!

Shoot yesterday I saw motorcycle riders on the street, enjoying the weather.  I even heard and saw the ice cream truck out yesterday afternoon - that is crazy this time of the year.  I doubt that there were many, if any kiddos out last night on my street, as I only saw a couple of lights on.  I was out back until around 7:30 and heard nothing.

I am still pretty sore.  All the aches from the jolt are gone - but my upper bottom and tailbone are still fairly sore when sitting at a certain angle.  Otherwise, I am fine and have gotten yardwork done with no pain.

                                                                        I love this!

My frugal week:

• Laundry in cold and hanging to dry
• Unplugged and defrosted the mini frig I have downstairs.  It is used a lot during the holidays, and should have been defrosted earlier
• Picked single roses for a bud vase 2X this week
• Worked on cutting the frawns of pampas grass, the NE Aster plant (huge), and the climbing roses back
• Cleaned out the upstairs frig
• Made stuffed banana peppers with l/o rice mix I had and froze them
• Made mashed pots one day and used the extra for making potato cakes (froze a few)
• Still eating tomatoes and peppers from the garden - actually picked a few peppers this week!  There are tons of baby ones out there
• Cat food run!  Just a regular thing until I get a good stock myself - hard to do as they eat so much!
• Got gas while out for my monthly fill-up and got gas for the garage can as well (it will get used).  Paid 3.09/gal. with my discount.  I only drove 57 miles all month!
• Stopped by thrift store and got free bread
• Pulled a pound of farm fresh sausage (I was gifted) from the freezer - sliced and cooked up for use later on - packaged and froze
• Paid a couple bills by phone
• Just doing all the normal stuff

Budget friendly meals this past week:

Pizza rice skillet

Cheeseburger, 2 stuffed banana peppers, sliced toms

Beef Manhattan (using extra burger cooked yesterday)

Fried cabbage and smoked sausage and potato cakes

Loaded fries and salad

Taco rice bowl

French bread pizza

SNACKS - fruit, salsa and chips, yogurt

I did have a couple days I didn't do much do to the fall, but I tried to keep busy.  Just plugging along and trying to stay home and use what I have and be mindful of those things.  I didn't really get any work done this week in the basement (except the mini frig) - will be getting back to that this week.

How was your week?  What is going on in your area?  I hope you are getting to enjoy some decent weather.  Any deals this week?  I love hearing from you all.

Wishing you each a beautiful week ahead.  Stay safe and healthy.

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

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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8

Dear Lord, we thank You so much for watching over us and blessing us this past week.  It is a wonderful and comforting feeling to know that You are and will always be with us, no matter what goes on in the world.  May we never lose our faith and our love of You.  Guide us each one to do the right things and help us to not be afraid or stressed.  Let us give our worries up to You.  AMEN

My daily thankful - I am so thankful for decent health, and that I can still take care of myself

I Feel Chatty

 Hello all - hope you are all well.  Today is another repeat day here in middle IN.  Highs 70's, lows 50's, and looks to be so for at least the next week or more.  It is truly amazing.  I have blooms and baby peppers growing out there, and I still have a few green toms I left out there (underneath) that are growing.  It has been dry and pretty much sunny.  It is sure saving funds - no AC and no furnace needed.  Windows get to open during middle day for fresh air - it is really a joyful thing.

This is the last post for October!  Hard to believe.

Eight Fridays to shop before Christmas!!!!!!  The ninth Friday is Christmas!  YIKES!

                                                                  Most assuredly!

Last week, when I had lunch with the old grade school friends, there are three of us that have birthdays just a few days apart.  There was the 25th, 27th, and 29th.  We all turned 72 and were some of the first of the class to do so, as we all started school later than most.

One day this week, I was talking to one of the gals, and she mentioned something kind of cool.  We all started first grade together and went all 12 years of school together.  BUT we were all born at the same hospital, and back then moms were kept 7-10 days, so we all started life in the same nursery at the same time as well!  That is pretty amazing to me - and 72 years later, we are still hanging out together!

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TIME CHANGE - for those that have to - remember to change those clocks before going to bed Saturday night!  I hate this so bad!  It will get dark so much earlier and that sucks in my opinion.  That is the worst part.

People that have pets or farm animals don't get a break.  Those animals have no idea that the tick-tock clock changes - their internal clock doesn't.

My tip, that helps me - I do not change the clock in the bedroom for a while.  I wake up, look at the clock and get up like normal (same with going to sleep).  Now the other clocks will be different, but my sleep cycle seems to stay the same for a while, and I stay on the same schedule as the animals.

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CAT UPDATE

They are getting big!  They still look little much of the time to me, but in truth they are getting big.  Shoot McDreamy is bigger than momma Pip.  I can tell her by her long skinny legs, but he is bigger otherwise (both are all black).  They all love each other so much and goodness, do they play and play.  They sure are happy to see me in the mornings and then in the evening for they get wet food!  They have dry food out all day.

I swear they give my so much joy and happiness and make me smile no matter what.

They are all hunters - some better than others.  They love to play in the bushes out back, and somehow manage to sit on top of them!

This is Bootsy and Dusty hanging out.  Just before I clicked the camera, Boots was laying there hugging Dusty.

Smokey - oh, Smokey loves me sooooo much.  It is like a puppy, and follows me all over the place when I am outside.  If I am not petting, he reaches out and pats my arm, shoulder, whatever to get my attention!

Here is Dusty all alone - this is how it lays all the time.  Upside down!  Sure must be content. This kitty is so different in looks from all the others - looks Siamese.

There are 3 others, that I didn't get a pic of - 2 black ones - McDreamy and Bash and then there is Patches (looks like Bitsy).  Not counting Pip and of course old gal Momma.  Momma comes and eats but spends her days and nights elsewhere (unless hanging out alone on the glider).  I think she is just old and tired.

Patches, McDreamy and Smokey just love attention and want to be petted all the time.  The others are cool with pets, but do not beg for them.  Bash and Pip only let me pet when they are eating (this is new).  Momma never.

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I will not be doing Halloween this year.  I stopped a few years after Glen passed.  I just didn't feel safe being all alone.  You never know who is behind the mask, and some kiddos are big, so it just is scary for me.  I kind of miss it, as I always got enjoyment from it, the kids were always so polite.  I have noticed that hardly no one on the street turns on their lights anymore (we have a lot of elders).  Very few kiddos around either.  Have fun if you celebrate.

OK, I guess I am done being chatty.  It is now 60*, that should be the normal high for the day - here it is morning. 

Have a fun and lovely weekend, and I will post again in November!

Have a fantastic day all!!!!!!