Hello all my lovelies! Happy Sunday. I hope this finds you all well and safe.
We are still having some cooler temps - by cooler I mean not 90's! Yesterday we got rain 2X and we had rain overnight. Looks to be a cloudy and maybe rainy day here.
The grass is sure lovely and green now - it was so brown and dormant for so long.
I guess my old ramp must have looked worse than I thought it did! I sure have had a lot of compliments on how nice it looks out front. Of course, in my defense - not many of the neighbors (I have now) ever saw the house without it (it was there for about 10 years). It does really make a difference. I still haven't decided what to do with the area.
My week:
- Doing the daily harvests - tons of cherry tomatoes, regular tomatoes, peppers and okra. Not much in the way of cukes this week.
- Mowed the yard and trimmed
- Got the big pile of rotted wood taken out back for burning at some point.
- Did a repair on the back handrail - replaced a section of top. More to do - but a good fix for the moment
- Made myself a step for the right side of my porch (using ramp wood). Makes getting off the porch on that side easier and I don't have to walk all the way around the porch now
- Painted the mailbox post and got the brass numbers back up (you couldn't see the post or numbers when ramp was up)
- Froze more okra and tomatoes
- Trimmed my hair
- Talked with a neighbor, a retired professional painter - and he has agreed to take down and paint my front shutters and to sand and paint my security doors in the next few weeks. Gave me a great price!
- Made 2 no-bake cheesecakes on Saturday. One for a friend and one for here. Each was peach flavored using peach yogurt and a blended fresh peach.
- Doing all the normal stuff we all do
- I ran to the library on Tues. for the first time in ages this week
- I stopped at the last day of a Kroger sale on Tuesday - got ground beef for 2.79/lb., Jimmy Dean sausage for 2.49/lb. and white peaches for .89/lb.
- Went to Aldi this week - first time in ages. Yes, prices are up a little - but they are still better than most stores and they were very well stocked. I didn't need them - but eggs were 1.99/doz. there and they had lots of fresh potatoes (a little up in price). I got cauliflower (huge), lettuce (huge), tuna, canned chili beans and kidney beans, dried potatoes, crackers and dirty rice mixes. I even bought 2 bottles of wine. I spent less there than I have spent anywhere for a long while,
Meals this past week:
Sauteed zucchini, tomato & cheese and a steakburger
Chicken strips and a tomato/radish/pepper salad
French bread pizza
Pigs in a blanket and fresh veggies (used crescent rolls and jalapeno smoked sausage)
Loaded burger and chips
Tuna patty, mac n cheese and sliced tomato
Taco salad topped with tons of veggies
SNACKS - fruit, cheese-nips, and leftover mac n cheese
So there you go - nothing exciting, just keeping busy. How was your week? Any good deals or exciting happenings? Love hearing from you all.
I hope this week is good to you all. Stay cool.
Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.
Psalm 68:19
Good morning, Cheryl (and all)! It was another spectacular sunrise this morning, which has become my favorite time of day.
ReplyDeleteGood news on your grow-cery harvest! Great grocery sale prices, too! This week, Safeway had London Broil and beef round roasts for $2.77 per pound. My fridge is full of meat waiting to be prepped for the freezer... close to $100 well spent between the beef and some sausage. Also got a great deal on pasta (thin spaghetti, hard to find lately). Any tips on airtight pantry storage?
The BIG news this week is our wood pellet stove is finally here and installed! Yippee! We'd ordered and paid for it back in February, if you can believe it. So, now we can finish setting up the family room. Also, outdoors, Hubs finally got the lilac bushes plated along the drive. There were five. Yesterday, at Home Depot, we saw they're staring to mark down their nursery section and four more of the same size/type lilac were marked w-a-y down. They'll get planted by the patio he built.
For those who garden, if you're looking for trees, shrubs or perennials, the prices are now less than half of what they've been all summer. Although I didn't buy any, rose bushes that had sold for $27 were marked down to $5!! Remaining potted trees that had been $59 were $20 in 10 gallon pots. Butterfly bushes and the like in 5 gallon pots that had been $34 were $14. I'm waiting for other markdowns, which the garden manager said will come in another few weeks. Happy planting and have a blessed Sunday!
--Elise
Great price on roast! Glad you stocked up on it. I keep much of my pasta as is in the box - but lots go into glass jars - you generally have to break long pasta to fit. I have lots of long term pasta in jars.
DeleteYAY on the stove. You are just about to be done with all the big things necessary for winter.
Thanks for the heads up on the garden center prices.
Have a great day!
We love Aldi too, I hope they have those cauliflower at our Aldi, that is great. Has anyone ever made cauliflower steaks? They are so good, you just cut in slices and bake in olive oil sprinkled with your seasonings, for me that is salt, pepper and garlic powder. You can even make gravy for them. If they break up, they are "nuggets". : )
ReplyDeleteLove your meme and scripture, very comforting and full of wisdom.
I appreciate your blog Cheryl, you have truth spoken here but not in a know-it-all way like some I see or hear on youtube.
God bless you Cheryl. : )
I have had cauliflower steaks a couple times and yes indeed they are wonderful. Hmm, may do that with part of this one. Thanks for the reminder.
DeleteWe are never alone - we are guided each and every day - we just need to listen!
Thank you so much. So happy to have you here. I just speak what I know and what I have tried and everyone else pitches in.
Have a great day!
Amelia, I have made cauliflower steaks on the grill. Heavenly! Since I was a tiny girl, cauliflower has always been a favorite veggie. Never tried the "nuggets"; how do you make yours? Breaded and fried with some gravy sounds yummy! And yes, the sayings and verses here, along with every post, are such a comforting way to start a day. Cheryl is a gift to us all.
ReplyDelete--Elise
They are so yummy. I have had nuggets out at a restaurant before and they were sure good. They were breaded like you would green tomatoes or onions and fried.
DeleteYou ladies are my gift! Thank you.
There's always something, isn't there, Cheryl? The temps have been in the high 80's, hot for NE Alberta with no rain. I've been watering the tomato plants. I'll have to buy tomatoes for canning this year, the first time in years. I processed the zucchini, swiss chard & beets that my cousin gifted me. Someone is always sharing their garden produce. I made stuffed zucchini for lunch with a friend, who then beat me at scrabble. Other meals included taco salad, chicken noodle soup, roasted beets & last night, BBQ'd trout. I helped a friend with MS pack up some household stuff in preparation for her move to senior housing. I think about my next move as I age and hope I can be as proactive as she is, something I so admire about her. My friend & neighbor suffered 2nd degree burns in a farm accident on Thursday. I've been helping them with childcare as they manage his care. The healthcare system is sadly lacking with closed emergency departments & no home care nursing available on the weekend in some rural areas, leaving this family to deal with wound management on their own. Dressing changes take 1.5-2hrs. The resilience & can-do attitude so prevalent in rural residents will serve this family well. Being of service to my community is important to me. The big thing that was crossed off the to-do list was getting the bedroom carpet shampooed, long overdue. Right now the house is cool & I haven't broke a sweat yet, enjoying the morning coffee. Have a good day.
ReplyDeleteI a getting tomatoes - but not as many as in the past. I did notice this morning a lot of new blooms and many smaller toms out there - so maybe a round 2 is coming!
DeleteHow lovely that people share their produce. Stiffed zucchini sounds lovely. Oh my dad and grandma sure loved laying Scrabble. Every time someone mentions it, it takes me back in times.
You are being a Godsend to your neighbors and friends by helping. That is your mission at this stage in life it seems. I sure hope your neighbor with the burns mends well. Emergency rooms closed? That is horrible. Prayers for their healing.
Glad you carpet is all cleaned and fresh. Enjoy your day.
Have a great week.
Good morning, Cheryl! You accomplished a lot this week! Congrats on getting things done. The temps here have been cooler here, too, and we've gotten some good soaking rains. From my deck garden pots, I've gotten another cutting of basil, oregano, and parsley. Dill is done for, and my chives, I think, need to be repotted. They just didn't fill in this summer, like they have in the past. I've got a second green pepper on my one plant, and one on my red pepper plant that is getting large but not turning color yet. Another dozen or so cherry tomatoes, too, that have been good for salads (and snacking). I picked up a 10# box of roma tomatoes when I was in Michigan on Friday and plan on cooking up tomato sauce (regular, plain, smooth sauce) and also making some pizza sauce with part of the box. Did my first grocery shop since the end of July and things seem to be settling a little. For the first time in a long time, the dairy aisle was full. They had all of the canned biscuits, rolls, and crescents full, multiple brands of butter and margarine, most of the yogurt slots filled, and pretty much any kind/flavor of cream cheese you could imagine! It was a welcome sight, for sure, and lots was added to my inventory -- not sure if that was a good thing, or not. I did decide I wasn't paying $2.99 for grocery store eggs. If I'm going to spend $3, I'll spend $4.50 or $5.00 and buy them fresh at the farm down the road. Some things are just worth making that decision. And, with eggs, I've reached that tipping point. Make it a great day!
ReplyDeleteYay on cooler temps and rain - always nice. Oh I wish you were near - I keep giving quart bags of cherry tomatoes to neighbors - I have so many. I eat them like candy - all day long. Thank goodness they aren't candy or I would be gaining weight!!!
DeleteI may buy some tomatoes as well for canning. I have plenty - just not as many as usual.
I am happy to hear your stores are looking better on stock. It seems to me that prices are slowing down or coming down a little as well. (in my area). Nice to hear a positive report from another area. I agree with you on the eggs. You will know they are fresh and you are helping the community.
Have a great one!
We had a big storm in the night and everything is soaking wet this morning. I am so glad to have everything well watered.
ReplyDeleteOur youngest son and family came for brunch yesterday. We enjoyed our youngest grandson so much. There were leftovers of everything and even though I am not a big fan of reheated breakfast foods we saved all the leftovers and reheated them for breakfast this morning. I tried a pat of butter in the scrambled eggs and it really helped moisten them up.
You got some great deals! Our Aldi prices are down a good bit on many items. Boneless skinless chicken breasts were 3.99# and are now down to 2.49#. Eggs are still sky high everywhere. Our biggest deal was at the salvage store where we got three 22 ounce packs of Hillshire Farm turkey breast for $7. Each tub has two packs to pull out one of a time. The date made it best to throw them in the freezer.
I take back what I said about Aldi prices. Hubby had to go to Home Depot so I asked him to stop since it is across the street and good grief everything was way up that he bought.
DeleteSorry for all the comments but another big thing this week is that I found the smart canner down in price to $199 so I grabbed another one and sold my two big canners for $175 which made the new one a total of $37 with the tax. Hubby's brain injury just cannot stand the loud frantic sounds of the Presto canners so now we can can much more at very little expense. This was a huge blessing and the ones who bought the other canners were very pleased to get them.
DeleteGlad your yard got watered. Nature's water is so much better.
DeleteI bet you did really enjoy yesterday. It has to be great having your family with you. Good idea on butter on the leftover eggs - that would save them. Heck, butter saves everything!
I hate to hear your prices shot back up - I was pleasantly surprised at mine. Eggs around here, are still nowhere the cost you have been paying. Thank goodness.
How wonderful on the canners. SO happy you sold yours and found new to replace. Here's to quiet canning!!
Have a good one.
Sounds like you had a busy week. It's amazing how much more productive we feel when the temps moderate. Your no-bake cheesecake sounds delicious. I'll have to try adding yogurt & fruit sometime.
ReplyDeleteI got the front door jamb, outside door trim and both handrails and also the carport door, trim and jamb painted with two coats of a good exterior paint. Bought a new storm door for the front at HD. The old one has rotted and no longer fits. I will install the new one mid-week when it stops raining.
We had heavy storms last night into this morning with more predicted for the next two days. Got over 1 in. of rain. The rain barrels are again full. Been giving away cherry tomatoes, zukes and cukes to a neighbor who normally grows beefsteak tomatoes but had a stroke back in January. He's only 64! He's doing better, but no more gardening.
Spent this morning in the kitchen. Processed and froze cubed zucchini. Cooked up a free 2.25 lb package of ground round and added chopped onion. One-third went into the crockpot and the rest was frozen for 2 more crockpot meals. The crockpot dinner also has chopped pepper, diced tomatoes (free), corn w/peppers, garbanzo beans (free), and salsa. Makes 6 servings. Made 8 scrambled egg burritos for lunches. Will make some bean burritos after lunch when the large tortillas thaw out.
Shopped at Aldi, where they were out of brown eggs, bread crumbs, turkey breast lunch meat and cat litter. Eggs were $1.95. Shopped at our local grocery (Shop-n-Save) for a few things I can't get elsewhere. Everything there is up 30% or more over last year. Unwaxed dental floss went from $1 to $1.29. Canned corn w/peppers was a whopping $2.19! Sweet potatoes fries went from $3.49 to $5.19/bag! Husband likes all of those things or I wouldn't be buying them.
I read "Brave Companions" by David McCullough, who is one of my favorite authors, and who sadly died recently. After reading a lot of heavy non-fiction lately, I am now reading the "Anne of Green Gables" series. I have 3 of the 8 books and have ordered the other 5 from the library. I needed a mental break from all the tsars and wars. Worked on more quilts when it was hot last week.
It just started raining here again - nothing major, just some showers right now. Glad your plants are getting watered as well.
DeleteI bet your place is really looking nice. It feels good to spruce things up. That is why I asked the neighbor to paint my shutters and security doors. I guess I am in the mood for sprucing!! You have done wonderfully with all that stuff.
Your crockpot meal sounds good.
Sorry your Aldi was out of some things. I guess we can't always expect both good prices and stock any more (sadly)!! I still think Aldi is cheaper than most other stores.
I read where that author had died. I do not believe I have ever read him.
Sounds like you have some good reading to do!
Have a great week.
That’s great that your neighbor is going to paint your rails for you and at a great price. You just can’t beat good neighbors like that. I’m really enjoying the cooler weather here too.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have been blessed with several good neighbors.
DeleteI love this cooler weather and less humidity. I think it may be about to change a little.
Have a good one.
Sunny and hot here today! 32C/90F so I guess we have your temps but it won't last long thankfully. That reminds me, I need to water the containers again.
ReplyDeleteAre you thinking you might put in another flower bed, or maybe grow more veg in the spot out front? Or maybe a small? I'm sure it wasn't easy to let it go; maybe you can make a portion of it a memorial to your dear husband.
Have a wonderful week.
Truthfully I have thought of all those things. Not sure if I want to invest in that much mulch or rock and border or if I will just go back to grass the way it was originally.
DeleteI know a small part will be flowers - just not how much.
No rush - I have time to decide.
No it wasn't easy - I contemplated for a couple years.
Have a great week. Hope you get cooler days!
Wasn't it great to get some rain? The Farmer had just finished up some outdoor chores this afternoon when it started raining. He has planted some fall crops so every bit of moisture will help.
ReplyDeleteWe still have tomatoes so we'll can more salsa tomorrow. Need to check on the potatoes and get started on canning those also. I'm eager to see how many sweet potatoes we can harvest.
You have very good neighbors. Fabulous that your neighbor is going to do some painting for you at a good price.
Glad you are getting some canning done. My brother always gives me sweet potatoes he cans.
DeleteThe rain has been wonderful - no watering here for a couple days or more.
I do have some pretty good neighbors - others not so much - but for the most part we all look out for one another and do what we can to help each other.
Have a good one!
My word! You've gotten so much done in the past week! Makes me think I need to get moving. But, this week I'll be doing most of my moving at the local grade school subbing. ~smile~ Monday's the first day, and I get to greet the little ones as they come in. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWhat you will be doing is so admirable! Thank you for teaching. Have a great week and enjoy all those little ones.
DeleteOoh, can't wait until I get more energy! I did several chores on Saturday. Nothing big, mind you, but apparently enough to kick my butt!! I was completely wiped out exhausted yesterday. The best thing I did yesterday was a little self care. I went out and sat in the sun for about 40 minutes. It was hot so I sweated. I hope I also helped out my vitamin D supply! Then, I showered and scrubbed myself with sea salt scrub and got rid of all the dead icky skin that COVID left behind. My skin feels so much better.
ReplyDeleteElise, thanks for your kind prayers. I'm happy to have had them!
I did make a crock of Mac and cheese on Saturday. I'll try and remember to post the recipe. It's not a creamy kind exactly, but we love it. It always looks a little scary while it's cooking, but always turns out. On of my friends with 5 kids adds sliced hot dogs to it.
I ironed, caught up on laundry, folded a lot of clothes, and looked around at how much i still had to do! It's definitely gonna take some time.
We've been watching Father Brown from the BBC. I was so happy that our library started carrying it. American TV is just dismal. I could give up the TV altogether, but hubs calls it his binky and Father Brown for an hour each night is our compromise! I disconnect it during the day to save electricity.
In reading, I'm a mess from being sick. Not much to speak of.
My nightstand book is Crossfire by Dick/Felix Francis.
Nothing in my cd player, nothing with my Bible study, and no afternoon read! Gotta get it together!
Give yourself a break kiddo - you have been sick. You are aloud to be behind on things and not be reading. It is OK!!!!
DeleteThe sun probably helped more than anything! That and just being up and moving a little (do not over do it).
Sounds like you accomplished much on Sat.
You are right - TV is dismal. I watch things like Maine Cabin Masters, Triple D with Guy, Barnwood Builders - stuff like that. I like watching how people save things from the past and make them sweet again.
Take care and feel better. Hope this is a better week!
Good to hear you are feeling better. Slow and easy does it, the chores will always be there. Do please post the mac & cheese recipe when you feel up to it. I like to fix a big batch and freeze it in portions for lunch.
ReplyDelete--Frances in the Trailer Park
oops, that was supposed to be in response to Debby in Kansas
DeleteI think we are all looking forward to mac n cheese recipe!
DeleteThanks, Frances!
DeleteCheryl, I just have to remember to grab it. I'm one of those housewives that will try and get it while heading to the loo. Finish there, notice something, get distracted, do something else, repeat 3 times, get to the office and forget what I wanted. Then it'll hit me at 11pm, when I wake up to cough lol!!! I promise you'll have it soon!!
you mean that isn't normal?????? Huh!
DeleteBlow the trumpets and gather 'round lol!!
ReplyDeleteCrockpot Mac and Cheese (you probably want to give your crock a good spray of Pam)
12 oz. cooked macaroni noodles
2 TB vegetable oil
Toss together in crockpot and then add the following:
13 oz can evaporated milk ((I use 12 oz due to shrinkage)
1 1/2 cups milk (one and a half)
1 tsp. salt
3 cups shredded cheese (about 1/2 lb.): Cheddar, American, Velveeta or a combo
1-2 TB melted butter
Stir everything together and cook on low 2-3 hours. Your crockpot temp may vary!
Notes- I've only ever used Sharp Cheddar so I have no idea how the others look or taste. I imagine American or Velveeta is much creamier. I also stir it after about 90 minutes. It looks like a soupy disaster, but it has never failed me!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!! Sounds wonderful.
DeleteThank you! Sounds yummy!
Deletethat reminds me I have a head of cauliflower and I will roast that for dinner tonight.
ReplyDeleteI want to make cauliflower steak one day - then not sure what else.
DeleteI’ll bet your house does look so fresh with the ramp gone. Enjoy your new look!!
ReplyDeleteIt does. Different for sure - It will take some getting used to for me!
DeleteI love that quote at the end of this post.
ReplyDelete