Sunday, July 30, 2017

Frugal Happenings 7/30

Howdy Ho everyone.  WOW here we are at the end of another month.  Fall will be here before we know it - then Christmas!
How has everyone been this past week?  We have had a nice week.

The weather wasn't too bad - we had some partial days of no AC - then 2 very hot and humid days.  Yesterday I turned off AC and it still hasn't come back on.  Windows are open and it is lovely.  This coming week I guess it is suppose to warm up mid week (not too bad), then next weekend be in the 70's!  What a great way to start August!

I saw a rabbit in the side yard this morning - then it went next door.  That is the first rabbit I have seen in years (since having outdoor cats).  We have all kinds of other critters, but not usually bunnies.  Of course I went to the garden this morning, and there was a huge half eaten tomato!  Coincidence?  Maybe.  I always have a couple nibbled on - but something really liked this one.  At least it ate half and not just a bite!!

My frugal week:
  • Used rain water when I needed to water
  • Rain barrels have been staying full - with all the rain we have been getting
  • Did a bit of mower repair - then mowed, trimmed bushes, whacked weeds, pulled weeds, for a total of 8 hours one day.  It was nice weather - took advantage.  Boy was this old gal tired!
  • I pulled out all the lettuce.  It had gotten stalky and bitter.  Will replant in a couple weeks.
  • Planted more green onions sets
  • Dehydrated 6 trays of basil
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Line dried laundry
  • Ran all errands on one day.  I stopped by an ethnic grocery to check out produce prices - way too expensive.  Now I know!
  • Picked zucchini, broccoli, bell peppers, jalapenos and many tomatoes - one tomato weighed 1 lb. 3 oz.!
One big and pretty 'mater!

  • Used all leftovers and re-invented some into new meals
  • Canned 14 pints salsa
  • Dyed my hair.  You know it's time for a touch-up, when hubs says "so, when did you decide to let your hair go natural?"  LOL
  • Stopped at Save-A -Lot (not a normal shopping place) and stocked up on coffee.  Maxwell House - almost 2 lb. cans for 4.99 each.  Got 6 - that will last a long time here with what we already have on hand.

  • G's aunt stopped by and brought some family history info and pictures for him.  What a gold mine!  One branch of family was researched back 24 generations, with the oldest birth year of 1150 in Normandy!!!!

Meals this week:
Onion/Swiss burgers, steamed broccoli, and salad
Chicken strips, green beans/pots, zucchini salad
Picked up dinner at the 50's diner up the road - too tired to cook (yard day)
Taco skillet dinner
BBQ wings and salad
Mexican pizza (used leftover taco stuff)
Big mess of fried zucchini and sliced tomatoes - oh yum!


How was your week?  How are your gardens doing?  Is anyone canning yet?
I hope anyone that planted a garden - is getting produce!  Any bounty we receive is a blessing.  It has been a strange (weather) summer for sure.

May the Lord keep you in His protective and loving hands this week.  Stay safe  and productive my friends.
Blessings to all.

10 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness so many hours on the lawn. Sometimes though I guess it's just the day for it! I bet you were tired. Your menu sounds great -I like the idea of Mexican pizza with leftover taco stuff. Neat idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was one looooong day - but the prettiest day of the week.
      I do that with taco meat every now and then. A little salsa, cheese, diced tomatoes, taco meat - yum!

      Delete
  2. I was so proud of myself this week for making the meals I did from home, even having guests over on Sunday for brunch and making a pasta salad from the pantry and garden.

    No tomatoes yet, and our lettuce is just about quit now so will replant like you said.

    I am seriously thinking of doing the envelope budget for the grocery store, need to figure that out with a virtual society where money is a plastic card and brick and stone banks are far away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ellen good for you on all the meals at home. Got to love our pantries.!
      My tomatoes are finally starting to come on good. Once they start you will be rolling in them!!!!

      I did envelope system when I was first single (after ex) - as I didn't have a bank account opened yet. It really worked for me. Dave Ramsey is huge on this.
      Good luck.

      Delete
  3. That tomato is a winner!!! We don't have any big ones yet. Just a very small handful of cherry tomatoes and a couple of tiny ones. I'm kind of thinking that the kind I was sold at the garden store (Romas) is going to be extremely small. Hmmmmm. I can't wait until I can grow my own again--I love choosing exactly what I want.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I absolutely love tomatoes - fresh home grown ones!
      Tomatoes at the store pretty much taste like plastic in my opinion.
      Small or not - they will still taste yummy! ENJOY

      Delete
  4. Thank you for the message at the end. I really appreciated that.
    What an awesome tomato!
    My last few weeks have been really productive. I am trying to get ahead wherever I can! Bless you Cheryl! Love Annabel.xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are always productive! I don't think you have an unproductive bone in your body.

      I have several more tomatoes like that, that are ripening. Such good eating.
      Blessings

      Delete
  5. Beautiful tomato! Good deal on the coffee. Will keep my eye out for a Big Lots when we go out Friday. I have green onions planted too and will continue to plant them as long as they will grow. Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow what a mater! I came home to an overtly large zucchini which will be shredded for bread. My tomatoes are just staring to come on and I have to can this year for sure. We will be eating alot of squash.

    ReplyDelete