The weather went from hot and humid (almost 90) to 30's at night this week. It just dropped like crazy all at once. I told hubs the first of week - just watch it will get cold and maybe snow by Halloween!. It could happen. They had flurries in northern part of state Friday night, and we had sleet. We actually have had to turn on heat a couple times this week. YUCK
I have been in such a 'funk' of a mood lately. I think it must be that time of the year. I just hate the shorter daylight hours!!!! As my good friend said yesterday I need to "snap out of it"!!!!! She asked me if it was because I have a birthday later this month - and I laughed. I then went to the mailbox and opened a letter that stated "in just 9 months you can apply for Medicare". Dang it - that made me feel old!
My frugal week:
- Picked all the last veggies in the garden - about 8 1/2 lbs.
- Started on pulling out the garden - have it about half done
- Rolled and drained the hoses
- Mowed yard and did misc. yard work
- Emptied and stored 1 of the rain barrels - one more to go
- Took the BBQ grill apart and cleaned thoroughly. Ready for any winter use
- Lined dried laundry
- Cut and dehydrated garlic chives and thyme
- Brought a pot of rosemary inside - going to try to keep it over the winter
- Bottled 6 more individual bottles of water
- Got lots of paperwork done this week
- Made baked apples
- Made cake mix cookies
- Made a big pot of cheesy potato soup. Added ground meat the 2nd night. Froze the balance for another day
- Ran to Meijer on Friday to take advantage of their 2 day sale. I got whole pork loins for 1.15/lb. (I bought 4) I will cut mainly into chops. Half pound packs of smoked sausage for .90 each (11/$10 sale)
- Went to Menards (across the street from Meijer) and got sale priced furnace filters to last for over the next year.
- All normal stuff - cooking meals at home, using what we have, blending up new bottles of shampoo, dish soap & Febreeze, staying home a lot, making tea, and more
Meals this past week:
Baked beans with hotdogs added and salad
Cold sandwiches and chips and dip (hot mow day)
Sausage/egg croissants (from freezer) and oven fries
Cheese ravioli/meatballs in marinara and garlic toast
Cheesy potato soup
Soup with added ground beef and sour cream
Hamburger steaks topped with sautéed onions, mushrooms, peppers, tator tots & salad
We had apples with peanut butter, plain apples, baked apples, ice cream sundaes, and cake mix cookies for treats this week.
We either ate all leftovers for other meals or froze them.
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I finally got around to adding up all the final receipts for SEPTEMBER this week. I was sooooo proud of myself!!!
My regular grocery totals for the MONTH was $87.30 and the total for "deep pantry extras for storage" was only $39.65 for the MONTH!!!!! WOOHOO!
I tallied my garden produce totals this week as well. Total picked was 281 lbs. of produce. What a savings in money! I have canned 120 jars of goodies and I still haven't done jelly from garden grapes/berries. We gave a lot to others as well - so lots of people enjoyed it. I know it isn't as much as some folks, but not too shaggy for my little backyard garden! I am pleased.
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How was your week? Are your gardens done as well? Are you getting ready for all the fall/winter holidays? Any great savings or deals?
Let us know.
May your coming week be fruitful, frugal and fantastic. Prayers for health and safety to you all. Prayers going out to all those affected by yet another hurricane. So many have lost everything.
Blessings from our humble home to yours.
Cheryl, Don't you just hate those letters! We get AARP advertisements all the time. I have to stop and remind myself I'm getting older all the time. I just don't feel it. But time marches on... Your garden did really well this year, 281 lbs that's a lot of produce. Our weather is crazy here, 70's in the daytime and in the 40's at night. Sounds like you had a great week!
ReplyDeleteYes mam, I hate those letters! I know I am getting much older - just hate to admit it out loud!!!!
DeleteI think it did well too.
it seems weather is kind of crazy every where. I could handle 70's - but it appears 50's for highs is all we get this week.
Have a great one!
Hi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteAwesome week! It is finally fall here in NW Ga. Last weekend was in the 90s- we swam in the pool both days!- to the 40s 4 days later! I am happy- was so over the hot, humid weather! Got LOTS of yard work done. Going camping tomorrow.
I hate getting those "buy your plot now" ads from cemeteries the last few years! How do they know? Haha. Oh well beats the alternative! Feel better! You are a very young 64!
Have a great week!
Angela
Same here - it was about 90 on Monday then BOOM!
DeleteFunny, cemetery plots was the first big purchase G and I made when we got married!
You are so right - it sure does beat the alternative.
I just keep trying to chug along. My head is still 20 something and the body - welllllll!
Have a good week.
Don't make me come out there and cheer you up. Because I will. You have done great. You are also an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteCome on ahead!!!!!
DeleteAawwww thank you so much. You guys all inspire me.
Have a great day.
Cheryl we have been getting some much needed, glorious rain!We might even need to mow the lawn next weekend. We havent mown since April. Our yard has gone from brown and crunchy to emerald green. Just beautifull
ReplyDeleteWith al the rain I havent been getting outside much so have focussed on inside cleaning and decluttering, along with some sewing. The Grandies both have new little outfits and hats for summer. I have made several gifts and have put these in the gift cupboard for Christmas.
I've been working on my sourdough starter and have her back to bold and bubbly once more. I can see some loaves and possibly some scrolls happening.
We have been eating down our small freezer as we really need to get to refresh the contents. Some things have been in there long enough. Last seasons mangoes have been blitzed into delicious smoothies. I can see the baby mangoes forming up on our neighbours trees. Here's hoping we can beat the fruit bats to this bounty.
I't raining yet again today. Local farmers have their water tanks full and their livestock dams are filling up as well. Areas in central and far western Queensland have been in drought and seen zero rainfall for 7 years. Those areas are in such need of blessed rain. I will not complain about being kept indoors.
So glad you are getting the much needed rain! WOW that is amazing that it has been that dry that you have not had to mow in months.
DeleteOh how I love mangoes. They are so good. It is hard to find any really decent ones here. I learned to love them when I was in my 20's.
Good job on getting all the gifts ready and doing al the sewing. Sourdough bread sounds so yummy.
Keep up on your de-cluttering and cleaning - and have a good week.
We had a freeze last night but everything is gone but the mustard greens anyway. Your garden did so well Cheryl. Don't worry about getting older they say you are only as old as you feel. You certainly sound younger than you are!
ReplyDeletewe will probably have frost tonight. YUK
DeleteMost days I feel pretty young both physically and mentally - then there are those other days!!!!!! We seem to have good genes in the family.
Have a great week.
The weather is nuts, lol. It did that here too, went from hot to cold. Hopefully it will level off soon, I would love some more mild weather. You did great on your grocery budget. Your produce for the summer was terrific. Doesn't matter who else did what, you did great for yourselves. I hope you have another good week!
ReplyDeleteIt seems the weather has been wonky all over. We went from way above normal temps to below. I guess it is to be expected.
DeleteI thought we did good too. I was proud of the garden.
Have a good one.
You had a great week! We had flurries further south from me, which is just crazy. It's going to be a LONG winter if this is how early it's starting. At least I have plenty of projects to keep me busy when we're cooped up inside...
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling bogged down and sleepy lately as well- I don't feel like doing ANYTHING but lying down and dozing off. I'm blaming the change of seasons. I don't mind it getting dark early, but apparently my body is having a difficult time adjusting this year. Hmph!
Have a great week. :)
YUK flurries!
DeleteThe season change seems to affect a lot of people. I do believe it does me, as well as the daylight. That is huge for me.
Our bodies change over the years - maybe that is what going on for you.
Feel better. have a good one.
Hi Cheryl, it is still in the 90*s here in NE FL. We had two days of lower temps, in the mid-80's, and it is right back up there again. They are saying that this Sunday the weather will break. Until then, I am just hangin' in there. You did really good with the veggie garden and so many beautiful flowers in the flower gardens. Memories should keep you cheered up. I really feel like I have no freedom in this apartment, no yard space in which to garden at all, just my patio - that's depressing. Outside stinks because of all the duck poo/pee and the residents who let their dogs do their business and don't pick it up. So I am happy when it rains and gets rid of the smells and "evidence". I have started Christmas stockings and will be selling some and giving some "stuffed" as gifts too. Christmas stockings make me happy, both to create, and to look at also. I also hope to be working with a lovely young lady who has a heart for our country's veterans. She has a "Hats for Vets" project where she will distribute your hand made hats to vets in Wisconsin where she lives, or will send some to anyone who has a veterans program or facility near them with your monetary donations, or use your monetary donation to buy some yarn to make some more, or use your yarn donation to make some also. I didn't bring much yarn with me so I am hoping she will be able to ask someone who is closer to me than her, and who wants to donate some of their leftover yarn, to send it to me so I can help out in this area. We have lots of military bases here, wounded warrior projects, a large veteran population, and this is a great area for this kind of out reach. I am ready for cooler weather, and a menu that incorporates warmer foods. Much as I love salads and sandwiches, I am ready for soups, huge roasted dinners, and lots of chili or rice and beans - warm, soul-filling dishes. Take it easy.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you are still experiencing such warm temps. I sure hope it does break soon for you.
DeleteI can't believe people are so inconsiderate as to not pick up after their dogs. So rude. Not much you can do about the ducks and geese, but the dogs shouldn't have to be a problem.
You are so used to having a house and yard to do as you wish - an apartment would be hard to get used to.
How neat on the Christmas stockings. what a great idea. I love the idea of hats for Vets as well.
You might check thrift stores for yarn too. Maybe put the word out at church.
I am loving being able to cook the hearty meals again. I have missed them.
Have a great week.