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.

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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!!!!!!!

Could YOU do it??????

 Hello all - happy Tuesday.  I hope all are well this morning.  It is a very chilly morning here, in the 30's.  So far it has not gotten to freezing here!  YAY!  I hate seeing all the buds freeze after things start really growing.  The first moments of sunrise were really something to see this morning.  It was like a giant hug in the sky.  The sky turned pink in all directions!  Granted it was brightest in the East - but the pink spread 360 degrees.  Just so pretty.

Now that the holiday is over, it is time to get back to normal and back to doing all things frugal again.

Here is my question or challenge to all.

Can or could you go all week cooking meals using ONLY what you have on hand?  How about the next two weeks?  I know many of us do this most weeks and it is a usual thing - but there are so many who shop every week or very often.  Now I not talking about those runs in to see what clearance we can find - I am talking staying out of the stores completely!

CAN YOU?

So there you go - my little challenge to you all.  Use only what is in your pantries and your freezers to fix all meals this week and hopefully next week.

WHY you ask?  I say why not!  It will save you money you can use for something else or save, it is being mindful of what you have so that nothing goes unused, and it is good practice!

Practice for what?

Well, if you shop every week and only keep enough provisions on hand to last just the week or two - you may be very sorry one day.  If deliveries can't get to stores - they will be empty in a couple days.  PERIOD!  

If grid would go down - there will be no transactions - as there will be no way to sell or record those transactions, without reverting to pen and paper and cash! (also would affect deliveries)

If supplies are in short supply, you need to be prepared at home.

If YOU have an emergency - such as loss of job, illness, or natural disaster - $ will be tight and you will need to rely on why you have.

There are many reasons to keep supplies on hand for the 'just in case' scenario.

It is just a smart move to at least give this a trial run.  Use what you have ONLY for a good week - hopefully two and see what you can come up with.  Get creative.  Not only is this smart to try, but it can also be fun.  If you have kiddos at home - get them involved too.

This is pretty much normal for me, and several others that read here.  I love my special deals I find, but I often stay out of stores for weeks.  I always have enough milk, eggs, and even fresh goods to last for a good while.  I can keep fresh produce a long while with a little prep.  Once summer gets here, it will be even better, with my own 'grow'ceries.  I learn to substitute things as well.

So, what do you think?  Can you do it?  Willing to try?

I hope many give it a try and play along - then you can report back each week on how well it went.  You can find holes in your inventory and figure out where you need to step it up.

Have fun!

Have a super day and be blessed and bless others.

Weekly Wrap Up 4/5

 HAPPY EASTER!

Hello to all this first Sunday of April and this glorious Easter Sunday.  I hope this finds you all well and safe and loved.  

It is a chilly morning here today, compared to other days this past week.  The heat has not turned on this week - I imagine that will end tonight and tomorrow.  Monday evening, we are supposed to get below freezing for a night or so.

                     Yes, He has.  The most incredible blessing and gift we could ever receive.

My frugal week:

• Menards run on Monday - mentioned that I got myself a couple new 'yard toys' to take care of things and make life easier for me - get an 11% rebate as well.  I also got some very inexpensive heirloom seeds to have on hand.
• Stopped and got my monthly gas while out - 3.49 gal. after discount
• My regular thrift store has opened a new food pantry - and they advertised 'celery' on FB.  It was a "please come and get all you want - we have skids full"!  Didn't even have to go in - and it was one block from getting gas.  I stopped and got 4 packs - organic

                                                                        I got a total of 4

• While at the gas station I ran in Kroger as well (gas in parking lot).  Well, I got the deal of the year so far!!!!  73% lean ground beef for a grand total of 1.95 lb.!!!!!!  It came in 3 lb. rolls.  I usually buy leaner meat and don't usually get the rolls - but was not going to pass that up!

                                 Did I need?  No.  Will I use?  You bet - freezers are now fuller!!!!!

• I made 18 packages of ground beef for the freezer
• I cut up celery (3 of them) and froze - 4th is in crisper
• I have the ends of 3 stalks of celery in water to root - they have already started sprouting!
• No heat needed all week
• Lots of walks - picking up trash - talking to people - porch sitting
• Mowed the entire yard - front to back
• Did some sewing
• Aired the house
• Made Cheerio crispy treats to take to nieces today - had everything here, and all was from sales or clearance
• Just basic cleaning, laundry and all the usual stuff

Meals this past week:

Homemade pizza - 2 days

Egg salad sandwich and salad

Loaded nachos

Grilled Reuban and veggie sticks

Beef/squash/cheese skillet, garlic toast and salad

Fried thick-cut potatoes, jalapeno smoked sausage on bun, cukes & cherry toms

Just a nice quiet week and enjoying the weather.  I sure love the smell of fresh cut grass.  Seems once one cuts, others follow suit and the air smells so good.  While out walking I came across a yard full of white violets!  That was so neat to see - not sure I have ever seen white ones before. 

Chucky the groundhog has made a few appearances this week - dang, that thing is fat!  You would think after hibernating all winter it would be skinny.

The whirlies, pods, twirlies - whatever you call them on the maple tree are out and stating to fall.  The squirrels do like to sit and eat the little bean in them.  But they are sure messy.

Sis is home.  YAY!!  Today she is 95.  What a gift!!!

There you have my week.  How was yours?  Did you find any deals?  Getting ready for spring and planting yet?  Enjoying the weather or are you still in the snowy areas?

I wish you all a lovely Easter.  I hope we all remember the gift and sacrifice that was given for US!  We are so loved.  May you get to spend time with loved ones or friends.

Wishing you all a super week ahead.  Stay safe and healthy.

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

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For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17

Lord, we send our utmost thank You up for this wonderful gift that we have been given.  Eternal life of health and happiness and supreme joy with You.  We may lose loved ones on this earth, but we will be together again someday - what a beautiful thought.  Jesus suffered for us, so we can have that eternal life by believing and accepting.  I can think of no greater gift.

Please be with each of us and keep us in your healing and loving arms in this new week.  AMEN

Weekend Fun and Easter

 Hello to all wherever you are.  I hope you are all doing well this Thursday.  It is a cooler morning, but still around 50*.  We must have had some rain super early as everything was wet this morning.  We did not get all the rain they said yesterday - although we did get some.  It was windy and will be again later today.  It is a little foggy this morning.  We get back to about 80* today.

By Easter evening we will get back to below freezing!  The weather, it sure does change quickly.

Everything is so green around here - it sure is lovely compared to all the brown, dead and white we saw over the winter.  The tulips blowing in a breeze!  My peonies are about 6-8 inches tall.  I have some violets in my yard, but a neighbor a few doors down has a front yard full of them.  Every time I walk, I just stop and stare - it is so pretty to me.

Do you have plans for the Easter weekend?

I will be going to my nieces for dinner and will be with brother's family.  I am planning on making some kid friendly goodies to take.  I think Cheerio/M&M marshmallow krispies.

Looks like Sunday will be rain free - but rain off and on until then.

Do you make anything special for the meal on Easter?  

Mom used to make ham every year.  Most people I know do make ham.  They are pretty cheap right now - .75 -.85/lb.  I sure hope that people add some to their freezers while they are cheaper.  A great source of protein, and frugal!

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A funny memory:  When I was a little one (maybe 4 or 5), my eldest brother bought me a couple chicks for Easter.  My parents were not amused!  He was notorious for getting things that others had to take care afterwards.  They lived on the back porch when little.  One died quickly, but the other grew up and lived outdoors.  It grew up to be a rooster!  That rooster hated me - LOL.  It would chase me around and around the house, pecking at me all the while as I cried and yelled and ran from it.  It did not do that to anyone else (all adults) - but me.  Yes, it was my chicken, but I wasn't fond of it.  

One day it suddenly disappeared - folks said it got hit by a car.  Hmmmmm, I wonder now as an adult, did he become dinner?  We didn't have much traffic on our road at all, so maybe that was a good excuse for them to use.

 Moral - animals for gifts at holidays are not always a good idea!!!!

I hope you all have a lovely Easter and weekend.  Enjoy time with family or friends if you can, and spend time being thankful for all blessings bestowed upon us.  

God is good.

Have a wonderful day!