Simpler Living can Mean Prepared as Well

 Morning to all on this first Tuesday of February.  Hope this finds everyone well and safe.  It is a much warmer morning here!  My thermostat says 32* - TV says 28*.  Either one is warmer than any morning in a couple weeks or more - actually warmer than daytime highs for a long while.  It was a very cloudy day yesterday, and so far today.  I actually put my trash out to the curb for p/u today - first time I believe in a month!

I know many tend to think, when someone mentions simplifying, that it means doing without.  It does not.  You can still have nice things, still eat great meals, and still do things.  It just means a calmer, less stressful life to me.  Getting creative and being resilient.  It doesn't mean going all Little House on the Prairie!!!!

The world is a complex place, and the more control you take of YOUR space, the happier you will be.  You can only control YOU and your home, that it is really it. 

It will help with your mental health, to just living and loving your life, so much less stress.  It helps you be more self-sufficient - learning new ways and things - doing things differently.  Just calmer.

Some things to think about:

1.  RESOURCES - prepare for period of time. Whether it be a month, a couple months, a year....  Just the past couple weeks of bad weather has shown it pays to be prepared.  When IT hits the fan, people panic.  They act out in a way the just makes no common sense.  YOU need to prepare because of the chaos that can happen.  There are many reasons to have resources for your family, job loss, medical emergencies, weather events, economy, etc.

Keep the basics on hand to take care of your family (even cash)- it is very important.

2. LEARNING TO MAKE DO

Make do with less - enjoy a life with less clutter and stuff.  Know what you have - keep track and inventory.  Whether it is a smaller home (less to heat and care for), less choices of store-bought items (learn to make things), less stuff overall.  Live to survive (it can still be a great life).  You don't have to do without, just look at doing it all different.

3.  DIVERSE ECONOMY - learn new ways to make some kind of income in a different way.  Do not keep all your eggs in one basket, as the saying goes.  Diversify your portfolio if you have one.  Have skills that can make you money or can be traded for other things needed.  Look for new ways.

4.  LEARN TO DO

Learn how to do things yourself.  Repair, mend, cook, bake, garden, can, etc.  Be something other than just a consumer!!!!!  Be a producer!!!  It doesn't have to be complicated - we will still probably all need others to do certain things for us (especially as we age).  But having basic knowledge of a lot of things and being able to put that knowledge in practice is HUGE!  We learn by doing!

5.  COMMUNITY - good neighbors and family and friends is essential.  Help one another.  Can be anything - maybe a mow job, snow removal, planting a garden (sharing), fixing equipment, sewing and mending, baking, deliver a meal, etc........  

3, 4 and 5 all kind of go together in my mind.

Simplifying and living with less builds character - it makes for a sturdy lifestyle; it brings dignity and joy.  There will be no self-pity if something bad happens - you can take care of yours.

Money is not the all end - how we choose to handle trials says much about us.

Learning and doing helps us stretch ourselves and our resources when necessary and we can easily get inventive.

Start to look at things in a different way.  Do I need all this stuff?  Do I need to purchase this or do I have something else that can work?  Can't I bake that or make that snack at home?  Take time to think about major purchases and weigh the need.

Extravagance isn't necessary.

Learn to be happy in your own environment and with yourself.

Now I am not saying you can't buy that treat or special item when you want.  Because many will.  I just think it makes sense to know an alternative way - IN CASE!  You never know what can happen in this life.  A few minutes can change everything!

Find ways to feel blessed!!!!!!!

A simpler life can be such a good life, and you don't really sacrifice a thing.  I think you GAIN more than you lose.

Think about this and maybe start making some little changes each week.

Have a wonderful and blessed day.  Hope all are safe!

Weekly Wrap Up 2/1

 Happy Sunday, happy February to all.  It sure seems like January took forever to go away!  LOL

We started today with 1*F and a full moon.  We had snow flurries all day yesterday - but nothing needing shoveled.  Today will get into the 20's and then maybe low 30's later in the week.  WOOHOO!  That seems warm.  I am hoping we are now past the subzero actual temps, at least for the for a while.

We gain just over an hour of daylight hours this month!  Slowly we are getting there.  The snow has been pretty, but I am done looking at white.  I really need color.

I hope each of you say this little prayer and say it often.

This week my list will be shorter than normal, I believe.  Just such a tiring week.

My frugal week:

• Moving snow!!!  Lots of snow.  I have moved snow every single day this past week - just to make paths and walks safe.  Had to then dig out the end of drive after plows came through, so as to be able to get out safely.  Doing this every day has been good FREE exercise - but it sure has exhausted this gal's body.  I go in spurts, so as not to overdo it.
• Did pay a guy from down the road to move the deepest on Monday (in drive).  So worth every penny. (one reason to always have cash on hand)
• I paid all bills due by phone or online!  (Yes, I did pay some online finally)
• I caught up on laundry
• I worked on deep pantry a little more - still not done
• I did finally get out on Friday and made a run to the feed store. 
• I got gas while out - $13.45 total fill-up for January, at 2.14/gal.  Used my points, as they were about to expire
• Froze leftover cooked ham and some soup I made this week

Meals this past week:

Cabbage/ham and fried potatoes

l/o chili with sour cream added and grilled cheese sandwich

Chicken tenders, fries and salad

Creamy chicken/turkey noodle soup and crackers - 2X (so yummy)

Soft tacos

Loaded baked potato - l/o taco meat, jalapenos, cheese, sour cream

SNACKS - banana milkshake, l/o salad, pc. of chicken, ham slices, fruit and nuts

That's it.  Like I said, it has been a tiring week - even though the list is short.  My body is tired.  The extreme cold hasn't helped.  I am outside a few times every day feeding and leaving water for the animals.

I am so ready for at least a little warm up.

I hope you all check in and let us know how things are going.

I sure hope you are all doing well and that you are safe.  I know you Florida gals and states N of there are getting very COLD for that area right now.  I hope you are all safe and warm.

Prayers for all who need healing and prayers for good health for you all and your families.

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

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Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercies upon each of us.  Often times, things do not go as we expected, yet we know You are always there.  Your time and answers may not be what we expect, but it is all Your will.  Guide us each one to make the best decisions for ourselves, our families, and for others.  Again, we ask that You please lay Your healing hands upon each on in need.

Thank You for our many blessings.  AMEN

ENOUGH - Let it be

 Hello and a wonderful day to you all.  This month is almost over - just flew by, even with all the weather events.  Hey, spring is closer by the day - which means warmer temps for us in the U.S. and Canada!  Cooler days for those way south of us.  I really do look forward to seeing green!!!!

It is cold again this morning, but not AS cold.  Winds have died down it didn't get as cold overnight.  My road still looks very rough - not sure what the main roads are like, but I am sure better than a couple days ago.

I see so many people that feel such little self-worth and have been 'shamed' into thinking they are somehow less worthy than others.  It angers me.  It is so not true.  Each and every single person has a purpose on this earth, and it is NOT to be the punching bag (verbally or physically) for anyone else.

My ex was verbally abusive for many years, and yes, it took time to get past that.  Glen was my guiding light and he saved me.  He taught me to love me again, and to know that I could accomplish anything.

I want to try to help people to understand that you ARE important.  You do NOT have to accept the negativity, no matter who it is coming from!!!!

PLEASE repeat the affirmation above to yourself daily - several times a day - until you regain your control and your well-being.

I know not everyone has the same beliefs.  But most do believe in a creator, and to know that the Creator that made the skies and the stars and the earth - made you is pretty darn impressive.  That makes each of us special.  Unique.  Different.  Awesome.  Beautiful.  I could go on and on.

Today start taking your esteem back and be the best version of you that you can be.  Don't let anyone tell you different or belittle you - NO ONE!

As hard as it is, sometimes you just need to walk away (even with close family).  Hard yes, but it can be done.  I speak from experience, so I do understand.

You deserve joy and happiness in all things.  Let no one steal it.

May you each be safe and healthy, and may you have a wonderful and blessed day.

You ARE loved.

Good Things to Know

 Howdy Ho to all!!  Holy Toledo it is cold outside.  The news says it is -4*, my thermometer shows 1*.  Half a dozen of one - 6 of another!!!!!  LOL!  Cold is cold.

Most schools are still closed here - not just snow (although many roads are still bad - ours!), but the cold.  They have E learning.

It has been almost 6 days since we were above freezing and it looks like it will maybe be another week.  Well, they keep telling us January is the coldest month - sure hope they right.

I so hope you are all well and warm here in the US.  Stay cool in the southern hemisphere!

                           Sure looks cozy doesn't it?  You can almost smell the goodies - love it.

Today I will share some charts of things that just about everyone should know.  Food can be good and food can be bad.  We need to know the things that keep us healthy, as in it gives you nutrients and vitamins needed.  Things that last and things you can make yourself with no preservatives!

Color is your friend.  Eat the color as much as possible.  I love fruits and veggies.  I do try to eat color every day - it may not be fresh goods, maybe frozen or canned, but I do try to eat color as often as possible.

Here is a chart showing many popular items and what great natural vitamins you can get from them.  I am big on almonds, eggs, bananas, apples and milk.  Get some of those (if not all) every day!

Not all the pictures match the words - but you get it!  Read the words!!!

I know that beans get hard to cook - but it can be done.  I soak and soak, then pre-cook in baking soda water - then cook.  I cook without adding salt (for some reason it seems to slow cooking time for me).  I add my flavorings at the end or from the meat.  Just take your time and be patient.  No need to throw them away.

Do you have any tips on how you cook older beans?

Your own homemade cake mix!  You can mix dry ingredients together and keep on the shelf - then add wet when needed.  Bake at times and temps of cake mixes.

You can alter by adding other ingredients to change it up a bit.  No fake ingredients and things you can't pronounce.

Here is a repeat to help in a pinch.

Out of butter - no cream - use powdered milk to make a great sub for your table.

This sure may help in a pinch and keep you from making an unnecessary run to the store or maybe help those living far from a store.   (click on recipe to enlarge for easy reading)

Just a few tips from me to you.

Do you have any great tips that we need to know?  Please share!

Have a blessed day and be safe!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

 Hello this last Tuesday of January.  Good golly, it is cold and messy!  I sure hope you and yours are safe and snuggled in at home (here in the northern hemisphere).  As cold as we are, the southern hemisphere is hot.  Crazy stuff.  

We ended up having snow through Sunday late afternoon (24 hours) - and ended up with 12"+ here.  I had drifts that were close to 2' deep.  Luckily a guy from down the road came and checked on me, and he moved the worst of the worst (I paid).  I have worked on the rest over 2 days.  This body is sore!  Especially my hands, just achy.  That is ok - I survived and I am in my home safe.

There are piles chest high in my front yard, and the cold isn't leaving for a good while - so there will be snow a plenty for a while.

Now that title today could mean a lot of things - BUT I am talking produce!!!!!

I know when we shop we all look for the nicest produce.  It is appealing and lovely and we think that those visuals mean BETTER!  Not really.  It also means it costs more.

Think about looking for the oddly shaped, slightly bruised, and just different looking produce.  Just because it is bruised or ugly - doesn't mean spoiled!

With people being hungry and things costing more - I can't imagine anyone throwing things away just because they don't look pretty.  Stores DO!

Get to be friends with your local produce manager at the store and see if you can get a deal.  They make a little money, instead of paying to have it taken away.  My niece is a produce manager at a WM and she says this happens in her rural area a lot - she always works with people.

There are many things you can do with the off produce.  Fruit salads, smoothies, milkshakes, cook it, dehydrate it, ferment it, jelly and jams, cobblers, pies, roast, add to soups and pasta salads, mash, puddings, freeze for later, can it, the list goes on and on.

You can ferment all kinds of veggies - just like you do with making kraut!  They are really yummy.

VEGGIE CAKES/BITES

Veggies cakes - can be made like potato cakes - use any type of veggie you have.  You can make into patties or just make bites (like tots).  So easy to make and tasty.  Great for variety.

Add veggies to stir fry, fried rice, pasta salads, rice salad - all kinds of things.  Cut up - it doesn't have to be pretty.

FRUIT - so many options.

Fried apples, or peaches, or pineapple, or pears - oh YUM!  Great on top of pancakes, waffles, oatmeal or just as a side or a dessert.

You can mash up for youngsters (or oldsters).  Add to wonderful milkshakes, smoothies, even make homemade ice cream.  Jellies and jams.

Add to sweet breads and muffins, pie, cobbler, oh my.

Use glass jar (those you might throw away from the store) to secure partials of veggies or fruits in.  Like a half an onion - no smell and keeps it fresh.  Those jars are gold - they are super for dry goods, leftovers, and partial pieces of produce.  Make salads ahead (no dressing) and store in jars - grab and go.

I am all for anything that keeps things out of the landfills.  

The jars get re-used and you don't have to trash or recycle.  The produce that may go into landfills, gets used.  It is still good.  You can then use scraps for chickens or wildlife or compost.

There used to be companies that sold misfits or ugly produce - not sure if there still is.  I think it is just a necessary today - as so many are trying to get the best prices they can and stretch the food budgets.

Stop being so picky!

What ideas do you have on the UGLY produce?  DO you try to buy the things no one else wants?

Give us your ideas.  It helps everyone stretch the budget a little.

I pray you are all safe and have electricity and are well.  Let us know how you are faring!

STAY SAFE, STAY IN, and STAY HEALTHY.

Smile a little.  The sun is shining here - so that makes me happy.  Kitties had breakfast - that makes me happy too.

Have a joyful day.

Weekly Wrap Up 1/25

 Well hello there this Sunday!  What a Sunday it is!  SNOW, COLD are the words of the day for many of us.  It is very snowy here, I have not been out yet today, but I need to soon.  Got to clear areas for food and to clear snow from away from the water bowls for the animals.  Poor babies.  There are so many outdoor cats around here.  They all show here for food and water - guess no one else has 'liquid' water available.  I feel for the squirrels and birdies as well.

Looking out the windows there are spots where it looks like an inch of snow and places there appears to be well over a foot.  I'd day right now we have a good 7.5"-8"+, more coming.  It is 10*F at the moment.

I pray you and your families are all safe and well, and that you have heat. 

It looks like it will be super cold all week long - nothing higher than teens - but there will be some sun by tomorrow.

48 years ago today we had the big blizzard of '78.  Nature sure likes to give reminders - huh?

My frugal week:

• Sunday was the family gathering.  Had a wonderful time.  Lots of leftovers to use this week.  Sure glad we didn't plan it for today!
• Put away all the lovely items I received and got all paper and bags back downstairs for next year
• Froze 2 servings of stew leftover from Sunday
• Drinking tea left all week
• I did put more bedding in the greenhouse and doghouse for the kitties - but they have found their own shelter - below ground!  They are all using what has to be old groundhog/opossum dens,  Under my deck, the neighbor's deck, and the shed across the alley, have all had groundhogs over the years.  The cats are using those from what it appears (I mean it keeps wildlife safe all winter).  You can tell as they all look 'dusty'.
• I started shopping from the downstairs freezer
• I did run to the store midweek for cat food stock-up.  I am good for well over a month now.  I did also buy milk and bananas for me.  That is it.
• NO PANIC shopping for me
• Using up fresh veggies from Sunday to make salads this week
• I did walk the alley midweek to p/u trash.  During weekly trash p/u it was windy 
• My garage is not hooked to the generator - and all the heated water holes are attached to the garage.  I did get out a heavy duty extension cord to attach to house (just in case).
• I worked on the computer all day Friday trying to figure out the 'reply' problem I was having.  I got it done FINALLY.  It was frustrating, and I can understand why maybe some just give up and quit posting.  Things keep getting added to computers through updates, that aren't wanted or requested - you really have to stay on top of it.
• Made a small ham piece in the air fryer and cooked a small pot of chili
• Started reorganizing the deep overstock pantry and cleaning everything.  My hands will touch every item!  What a job.
• I did received another gift this week via the mail.  I mentioned something off the cuff on Sunday and Tuesday it was here!  A multi size jar lid vacuum sealer!! (does reg. and wide mouth)

It works great too - I have already tried it!

Meals this week:

Buffet - stew, pulled pork, meat/cheese trays, fresh veggies and all the cracker and breads, desserts

Stew and some desserts

Pork, rice, beans burritos

Pulled pork sliders and salad

Cheeseburger and fresh veggies

Chili and ham sandwich

Chili nachos

Snacked on nuts, toast and jelly, ham slices, meat & cheese, sweets

I sure do hope you are all ok.  Life can throw us some surprises and make us each understand just how blessed our normal life really is.  Prayers for all in the path of these storms - stay safe and warm.

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

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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27

Dear Lord, I ask today that You keep us all safe and protected from the weather and please protect Your creatures of nature, and all the souls that are homeless.  Help us each to do our part to help those in need.

Please place Your healing hands upon those who are in need.  We thank You for the many blessings that we receive daily.  AMEN

BLOGGERS - asking a help question

 He guys - all you that blog - I have a question for ya.

Yesterday I could directly respond to each comment received.  Suddenly this morning I can't.  I can leave a comment, but it will not let me respond directly to each comment.

Any idea WHY?????  I am stumped.  I have checked what I know how to check, and I have restarted computer a couple times as well.

THANKS for any HELP!!!!