I saw my first robins of the season this week, as well as the first red-winged blackbirds. That is a sure sign that spring is not too far away! Many lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, peonies and other plants are peeking through. It won't be long till we have pretty flowers again.
I went to a funeral this week of a former neighbor. It was nothing that I had expected! Theses people are good, sweet country folks. He was a simple man who never had even a pot to p*** in, but would do anything for you and give you his last dime. He always had a story to tell. He loved Dean Martin, and that was the only music being played - "everybody loves somebody"....... So MANY people got up to speak about his nature and generosity - it was really amazing. He was a fine testament to the theory of money does not make a man. I would love to be remembered so sweetly.
My frugal week:
- I went to the library and got a few goodies to read
- I drove around the library/park area for a few, checking out new changes to the neighborhood. Free entertainment
- Got to have the heat off and doors open for 2 or 3 days
- More spring cleaning
- Made more 'Panko like' bread crumbs
- Found some older pizza dough in freezer. Made dough-knots (little balls of dough). Placed a little oil on them and sprinkled with salt - then baked. They were a good snack dipped in pizza sauce.
- Made a faux crab salad with freezer crab and veggies on hand - YUM
- Have been using cabbage instead of lettuce for salads. WHY? It is what we have, it lasts longer, it tastes good, and it's more nutritional. Why not??
- Gave the indoor kitties pedi/manis! LOL - I trimmed their nails on back feet
- Cut G's and my hair
- Made slaw - a yummy treat
- Made dessert/breakfast bars from 2 packets of clearance cookie mixes (mixed 2 different ones together), and added nuts, more oats, dried fruit, applesauce, and a few chips. Baked in a 9 x 12 pan. They are so good!!!!!
- Cooled tea outdoors before refrigerating
- NO grocery shopping at all! (NO shopping of any sort)
- Saved another parmesan cheese shaker lid
- Using what I have and cooking at home
- Brought in my #3 size crock to use as a trash can in the bath. It looks cute.
Meals this week:
Leftover stew
Chicken cordon bleu mini casserole (for 2), parmesan roasted asparagus
Crab salad on rolls and steamed asparagus
Chicken tenders, spicy rice and side salad
Homemade pizza
Unstuffed cabbage roll skillet
Baked fish, potato wedges and slaw
How was your week? What did you do to extend your budget or save money?
Did you get any good deals this week?
We can all use some new ideas!
I pray you are all safe and warm and in good health. Those in the path of the storms, please stay in until the roads are safe. May the Lord bless you in all His many ways this week.
Best wishes from our humble little home to yours!
It's chilly here too after all the rain. I do love that cooler weather. I'm not ready for it to be so warm just yet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet funeral for your neighbor. What a kind way to be remembered.
Your pizza looks amazing!
I hope you have a great week, Cheryl. :)
I am not fond of HOT weather, but I sure do love the temps of spring.
DeleteThanks on the pizza. Homemade just tastes so good!
Have a good week.
Our weather in NE Texas is cool and rainy, something we love and need. Your cooking always looks so much better than mine!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are getting needed rain. So many are being pummeled with rain and snow and don't need it.
DeleteI think someone else's cooking always looks better and tastes better! LOL
Have a great week.
I'm glad you are having good weather too Cheryl! Looks like a good one and your menu sounds delicious. I have been saving Peanut butter jar lids -it's amazing how well they fit on other jars. Have a great week
ReplyDeleteIt is supposed to get colder and flurries some this week - but winter is winding down.
DeleteI just recently realized that peanut butter lids fit!! Love those kind of things for storage.
have a lovely week.
Sorry about your neighbor dying but he sounds like he was a wonderful man. Haven't gotten the knack of being frugal and eating gluten free yet. More sow in the forecast here!d Nancy
ReplyDeleteNancy if you have Aldi around, they have many gluten free products. I also know that Big Lots has a lot of items as well. It seems that gluten free items are getting more plentiful and a little cheaper. Don't forget good old fruits and veggies.
DeleteWe might get some flurries this week - I know northern part of state has blizzard alert. YUCK
Stay safe
Oh I saw our first robins today. Spring can't be too far away now. It has been a rough few days weatherwise. We have had strong winds of over 60mph, so of course we lost electricity for 24 hours. Then power came back on and went off again for 6 more hours. I think the last power surge damaged my husband's computer, and since that is his livelihood, we will have to replace it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice tribute to your neighbor. Your meals look and sound delicious, and you have me craving cabbage rolls now.
Have a good week.
Kathy so sorry for all the nasty weather. Oh my, I sure hope you don't have to replace the computer. That is a tidy expense.
DeleteI love it when the first robins show back up - lifts my spirit too.
Make deconstructed cabbage rolls in a skillet. Easier and taste just as good!
have a good one.
Awww, what a sweet time for the neighbor.
ReplyDeleteHey, how do you make "almost" panko bread crumbs?? I can't find a search bar on the blog. Thanks!
Barbara I had some dried slices of seasoned Italian bread (I dried). I put them (a few at a time) in my Ninja and pulse to get the consistency of Panko. Not totally smooth - but with a little larger bits. It works great.
DeleteAnytime I find Italian bread (or similar type) on super clearance I get and dehydrate then make crumbs.
You can do that with any type of dried bread.
I also make my own dressing bread, croutons, etc. So cheap and easy. I always use super cheap clearance bread!
Hope that helps.
Have a good day
PS - I am still working on a way to group things for easy hunting!
Hi Cheryl, I didn't do so well at the grocery store, I went with good intentions but then saw all the fresh produce, at least it was healthy! and I shopped enough to last a few weeks, so maybe it will be all right!
ReplyDeleteCold here, and inches of snow expected for the end of the week, that said, the daffys are up but not budded, the snowdrops are at their end now, and I know that snow will melt off quickly.
Well shucks - we all have set backs. You gave it the good old college try!! Like you said, it will probably work out in the end. Veggies are good!
DeleteMy daffodils are up too - no bloom. I think winter is going to give us all one good last hoorah! Mother nature always seems to get the last laugh!
Have a great one my friend!
I think I will come and eat at your house. Yum. You had a great week. Such an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteAaawww thanks. You are more than welcome to come!
DeleteIt did turn out to be a pretty good week.
Have a lovely week!
The pizza looks great. We make tons of pizza in the summer when my tomatoes are ready. Got some good deals this week with coupons and sales. My BIL dropped off some beer that he had leftover from a get together. My husband was happy to take it.
ReplyDeleteI had a wake to go to also. Unfortunately it was for a young man. He will be greatly missed.
Make the most of everyday. Tell all of your loved ones how much they mean to you. You just never know what tomorrow may bring.
Thank you for your wonderful blog. I look forward to reading it.
Marybeth thank you for your kind words.
DeleteYou are so right - we just don't know what tomorrow brings (or even the next hour). We need to say what we feel more often. So sorry for your loss.
Sounds like a frugal week for you. Nice on the FREE beer.
Have a good week.
Great minds think alike! I use one of my crocks as a garbage can and the bigger one does duty as a magazine holder in the living room. I also use cabbage for salads, but hubby does not like it as well. I'm the big salad eater so it works well for us and it's cheaper than lettuce.
ReplyDeleteOoooohhh never thought of using one as a magazine/book holder. Hmmm - I have another so may think of a new use for it. Thanks.
DeleteI love cabbage - it just has more substance and flavor. More nutrients too!