We had a lovely Sunday and Monday to start the week, then the temps dropped and we got winter back again. Had some ice and dusting of snow - but nothing too bad.
I know there has been lots of snow in many places, tornadoes and tons of rain in others, and I see today that Australia is now having cyclones. It seems to be feast or famine there.
I pray everyone is safe and not affected by the weather.
It was a very quiet week for me. Just not a lot going on. I did get to talk with a long distance friend this week, talked with my sister-in-law and went to the store one day (didn't really need a thing) just to interact with people! Oh how I need warmer weather and sunshine!
My week:
- I did go out Monday when it was warm to do a bit of yard work. My goodness I must have picked up a zillion sticks!! I only had a bag of trash for p/u last week - but my large trash bin was full of sticks
- I walked the front walk and the alley and picked up trash - from all the high winds we had.
- I got to air the house out on 2 days and had the heat off
- I opened up the greenhouse and aired it out - and took up a few rugs and hung out to dry. The floor gets damp from me and the kitties going in and out in snow/rain. The cats were loving the warmer days and stayed outside a lot!
- When I ran to the store - I did get a bag of oranges, some bananas and ice cream
- Doing some research and some reading
- Cleaned out a couple more drawers
- General straightening (nothing gets messy), cooking from scratch with ingredients I have, drinking water and lemon water (carbonated), laundry in cold, minimal lights and heat, etc..
- I did use my crockpot this week and made a pot of potatoes, carrots, beans and smoked sausage
My menu this past week:
Taco salad
Loaded baked potatoes and salad (used leftover taco meat)
Fish and fries
Crockpot meal
"Mex" Bruschetta - banana shake
Leftover crockpot meal
Zesty, beefy mac n cheese and slaw
My "Mex" bruschetta. Small rounds of toasted bread topped with several cheeses and salsa then roasted.
I had oranges, bananas, tomato juice, olives, carrots/dip and Triscuts and cheese for snacks
Now that I am here alone - I just eat whatever I feel like. I don't always have a well rounded meal. Just a reminder that it is OK to do what you want. Usually I have one or two items - not always a veggie - but that is OK. I am full, maintaining my weight and staying healthy. It was different when I cooked for someone else and not just myself.
Eat whatever makes you happy.
How was your week? Did you get any real savings or deals? Are you still working on the 20 challenge? I put a few things in the donate box this week.
Tale care my friends. I hope your week ahead is healthy and safe and frugal.
Blessings from my humble little home to yours.
This week's weather was glorious at first then it went kind of down hill. Your crockpot meal looks so delicious-that's going to be on my menu plan soon. Now we are off to go sledding in the snow with the grandkids!
ReplyDeleteStarted nice here as well. We just had a snow with gigantic flakes, now it is sleeting and rain to follow. UGH
DeleteHave a ball with the kids!
It sounds like a peaceful, nice week for you. Isn't it great to get outside even when we don't trust the weather?
ReplyDeleteYes it was a treat to be outside working.
DeleteIt was peaceful.
Have a good one!
Sounds like you kept busy this week, Cheryl. We need to walk around our yard and pick up sticks too. Your meals sound so good. I need to make some smoked sausage soon as we really like it here. I hope you have a good week. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I love smoked sausage. It goes with so many things.
DeleteHave a good one.
From you, I always receive such encouragement and good information to use everyday. I read your blog first thing each morn. Wishing you and cats a good week ahead.
ReplyDeleteBless your heart. What kind words and thank you.
DeleteYou have a great week.
Oh, that Mex bruschetta looks delicious...we had tacos just the other night. Roger used to really like them, and now just doesn't care much for them. Does your garbage pick up the sticks? When Sarah lived over there, I think hers did.
ReplyDeleteI love anything that is even sort of Mexican! I could eat stuff like that every day.
DeleteYes, they took the sticks. It is nice. They are pretty good about picking up about anything if it is in the bin. Trash has to be bagged, but the sticks were just broke up and dropped in.
have a good one.
I, too, had a quiet week. Definitely looking forward to Spring, though I have a long list of outdoor chores to tackle. We finally got some measurable snow (2.5 in.) on Friday. Didn't even bother to shovel, and it is gone from the driveway. The songbirds are singing their early Spring songs here.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for doing more cleaning out and donating and redding up your yard.
I'm working on using up more Project Linus quilt fabric. I put a good sized pile of browns/blues/cream prints (no flowers) out and just started cutting squares and rectangles. I made two 45"x60" quilt tops (good for older boys) and have enough pieces left for one or two more quilts. I had very little waste, since I save even 2-1/2" strips to make pieced binding.
For my 20 in '20 challenge, I have exercised 7 out of 9 days so far in February. I even got a trail walk in last Monday. Won't be any trail walking this week, as I am sure it is an icy, muddy mess.
No real frugal finds, but we have decided to purchase a small (@ 5 cubic ft.) chest freezer. This will make stocking up on bargains and freezing leftovers easier. Right now our refrigerator freezer is stuffed to the gills!
I also am looking at purchasing an umbrella-style clothes line. I found one on Amazon that is $74.99. A little pricey, but it gets very good reviews for being sturdy. We are finally allowed to have them here in the trailer park as long as they are in the back yard. I'm trying to figure out exactly where to put it so that hanging clothes won't shade the garden and where it won't be in my husband's way when he exercises outside. My mother did not own a clothes dryer until after I left home, and hanging/bringing in clothes was one of my jobs as a child. I dried clothes outside in good weather until I got a full time job 20 years ago. Since I'm now home all day, I can put laundry out in the morning to dry all day. I love the smell of freshly dried sheets and towels!
I love that you are making quilts for project Linus. That is so neat.
DeleteGood for you and your walking.
You will be so happy to have the freezer. It will give you a chance to stock up more.
I love laundry on the line as well - yep that smell. So happy for you.
Have a great week.
Your crockpot meal looks like something that would go over well at my house; will have to try that soon. I did get a really good deal this afternoon at Publix. I stopped in for something else, and happened upon premium spiral sliced hams for $.69/#. So I snagged one for the freezer. Now to find room for it, sigh. I'll have to do some shifting things around.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind things just all mixed up - so it was good.
Deletewhat a great deal on the ham. Haven't seen a price that low in a long time. Good job.
We had lots of wind and rain this week. I was also collecting sticks this week. They were all over. We are celebrating Hubby's birthday so we had family over yesterday for dinner. I cooked another turkey that I got at Thanksgiving for 39¢ a pound. We also made a cherry cheesecake and brownies. So yummy. Hubby cooked Chinese tonight. He wanted to get take out but I pulled everything out from my pantry and freezer so we made it instead. We have lots of yummy leftovers. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like we have had similar weather.
DeleteHappy birthday to your hubby. What a nice dinner you made. Even better to share it with friends.
I love how easy Chinese food is to make. Smart thinking.
Have a great one.
I enjoy one pot meals like your crockpot meal. Less dishes! I've been cooking a lot more since I retired. I was always too exhausted when I came home from work - so we ate leftovers from the weekend meals or foraged for ourselves. I'm getting a little tired of it - but blogs like yours give me good ideas!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
I like anything that gives me less dishes! My least favorite thing is washing pots and pans.
DeleteGlad you are getting some ideas.
Have a good one.
The stew looks do good and easy. Did you add any liquid to the pot. How long did you cook it? Sharon D.
ReplyDeleteIt really wouldn't be a stew - just mixed veggies and meat. I did put about 2 cups of broth in with it and some seasoning. I cooked on high for maybe 3-4 hours, long enough for the carrots and potatoes to soften. Really easy.
DeleteHope that helps.
We've been having unseasonably warm weather, which has been nice. Hubby and I got out for some walking. Your recipes look awesome. I haven't been cooking as much as I used to, and I have made a resolution to cook more. Great post. ☺
ReplyDeleteGlad that you have been able to get out and walk. Such great exercise. Hope you enjoy your week!
DeleteENJOY!
Cheryl, we also had a bit of nice weather to air out the house, get out in the yard and watch the cats be silly and acting frisky! I am also very ready for some sunshine and ongoing nicer weather! We had a lovely week around the home, although it was definitely quiet :)
ReplyDelete*I enjoyed getting to select the first round of books from other libraries in our state through our local tiny library. That will be so fun and a bit money saving since I will be able to give up the annual paid membership at the larger library.
*My husband turned a free pallet into a compost bin so I can start building compost for our raised beds.
*I’ve been doing some of the usual things like trying to stick to the budget to get money into savings, using pet food and packaging bags in place of trashbags, wasting as little as possible both in food and just in general daily living, and staying home a lot.
*More on my blog! https://www.cozyhomemaking.com/frugal-fun-homemaking-for-january-26-february-8-2020/
CHERYL, THIS IS Colleen or cau from FC. I just read your blog &comments about being alone. If this means your dh passed I want to offer my sympathy & HUGS. Colleen
ReplyDelete