Friday, November 29, 2024
Friday - and Shop Small Saturday
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Thanksgiving and Memories
Happy Wednesday to all. It is Thanksgiving Eve here in the US. Chilly morning, and we are to get rain and then a little snow later today and overnight. Supposedly, it will be safe by travel time. The temps are starting to cool, then boom come the weekend - cold! Oh well, it is time. Guess that will be December saying hello!!! We have been so fortunate in our area on warmer temps.
Many, many of us have people we have loved and lost, and that are no longer here on this earth. It is always hard and sad, but it seems the holidays make it feel even worse. I want to put it out there that we all need to remember the good times. How fortunate we were to have those times and those people in our lives as long as we did. We need to make sure they are talked about, and memories are shared - keeping them 'alive' in everyone's hearts and minds. I am a true believer that talking about them - keeps them alive in a fashion. Laugh at the stories. Celebrate them.
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Not Listening to Myself!
Happy Tuesday to all. The days are quickly ticking by. The end of the month will be here in a few days. It is a cold morn (but sunny) for sure. It is 25* colder this morning from yesterday morning! Come the weekend, our temps aren't supposed to get above the freezing mark at all!! Have fun Black Friday shoppers. Boy oh boy, am I glad I don't do that anymore. I will stay warm and cozy and safe at home that day.
He-he! Yep, I think that may be good advice for those of us celebrating turkey day. Lots of goodies to eat and try - and leftovers and well, usually we all eat more than usual.Sunday, November 24, 2024
Weekly Wrap Up 11/24
- First of the week was warm- so I put the garden all to bed for the season. Soakers put away, and garden weed shield removed. I did leave a couple cabbage plants in - just to see what happens!
- Raked all the leaves again, and got those and the previously raked leaves all on the garden
- Rain barrels emptied and put away
- I did get out the cords for the heated water bowls and the snow shovel out
- Cleaned the filter of the kitchen faucet as mentioned earlier in week
- I cut 4 roses on Sunday, and they lasted almost all week. So sweet smelling
- I mowed the entire yard one more time
- Put extra bedding in the greenhouse for Licorice
- I did run to Ollie's to use my 15% coupon on entire purchase. Got some basket stuffers, a couple things for kiddos.
- Made a small pot of chicken, noodle & veggie soup
- Changed out handbag
- Doing a lot of cleaning - moving some things in the kitchen around
- Had 3 days that I got open windows for fresh air
- Made a nice fruit milkshake for a treat one day
- Working on some sewing
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Thankful Thursday
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Don't Stress - Tis the Season
- Make you list and check it twice or three or four times. I am a huge list maker - it helps
- Check for sales and loss leaders at the grocery stores and get the deals for meals. Most things we all serve will be discounted at some point during the holiday time
- Stay OUT of the grocery store the week of a holiday!!!!! Generally, the people in the stores the week of - are panic shopping and things get crazy and lines get long, and peoples tempers flare
- Make sure you have everything for your baking needs - so as not to make lots of emergency store runs
- Maybe bake fewer things. 2 or 3 favorites is all people need - not dozens
- Prep what you can ahead. Chop veggies, dry bread, bake what you can and freeze - do whatever you need to - to make your holiday easier
- Consider having others pitch-in some of the dishes - it is cheaper and easier when everyone does their part
- When it comes to cleaning - dust and vacuum, clean the bathroom and call it a day! Don't worry about the closets, behind the beds, etc. Some folks about kill themselves doing a deep clean. If people are being nosey - they aren't your people! I do the basics and that is it. People should be socializing not inspecting!!!!!
- Simplify the gifting! The holidays should be about the people and NOT the stuff
- DO NOT go in debt to buy gifts for others!!!!!!! No sale, no deal is worth going into debt for. PLEASE don't be one of those people that are paying off charge cards for months all because of one day.
- If you have extra gatherings (other than main meals) - consider doing things buffet style. Finger foods, appetizers, a common drink - use crockpots to keep things warm. Keep it simple. I have a gathering every year - that I utilize a couple crockpots, a nice charcuterie board and maybe some chips, crackers and dips. A few homemade sweet goodies and it's done. We snack all afternoon and just enjoy each other!!!!!
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
A Pretty, A Fun, A Creative
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Weekly Wrap Up Nov. 17
- Used my air fryer and crockpot this week
- Worked outside when I could - pulled out the remainder of the garden plants and did some other yard work
- I did find a few more small green tomatoes while pulling out plants - so brought them in (we still haven't had a freeze here) - they will probably be cut in half and fried!
- Still eating lots of tomatoes from the garden
- Had some old eggroll wraps in frig that needed to be used - so made up a fun meal. Used mini sweet peppers and stuffed with Mex. chicken (from freezer), cream cheese and then wrapped. Air fried and they sure were tasty.
- I used more of the Mex/ chicken for a meal and made a quesadilla for the freezer with it.
- Visits to sis - she is slowly moving. Finally walking a bit - but it is tough. She has finally resigned herself of probably not being home for Thanksgiving :( - but she is slowly improving.
- Stopped at Meijer this week when done with a sis visit. Hadn't been in ages. Won't make that mistake again. I couldn't believe how expensive that store has gotten on EVERYTHING (except turkey). I used to shop there a lot. I will stick to my Kroger and Aldi - shoot even WM is better than going there. I was pretty dumbstruck. My Menard's visit the week before was a much better experience.
- I ran to a Holiday Bazaar at my old high school yesterday. It was not huge - but it gave me some ideas and helped put me in the mood a little. Only bought a couple snacks for myself!
- Had my bathroom sink appear to be leaking. I took off the filter and boy was it clogged! I cleaned it really well and put back on. The 'leak' was just water trying to flow out and taking a minute! The stream is better too.
- Have been working on cleaning, recycling and decluttering a lot. Cleaning off /out different areas
- NO groceries this week
- Using what I have and cooking from home
- Used crockpot to make a very small beef roast and veggies
- Changed out the bed comforter to change up the look
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Fun Stuff - Subs and Making Your Own!
It is that time that many people use cream of soups in cooking. Make your own!!! Super easy and it tastes good. You can sub chicken bouillon for beef or whatever you have to make different flavors.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Living on Less - Things You Can do!
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Finding Frugal Fresh Foods in the Fall
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Weekly Wrap Up - Nov. 10
One year ago today this little booger butt showed up in my drive! He was so tiny (fit in hand small) and so afraid of everything. Blackie watched over him and took care of him, until I got to where I could pet and pick him up. It took us a while - then they came indoors! My how my life changed, and my love grew!! He is spoiled to the hilt and just loves hanging out with his buddy and momma. Looks like he kind of likes his life now, doesn't it? LOL. My sweet Bitsy such a stinker!
- Still eating garden tomatoes, a lot
- Cut a beautiful rose this week - oh it smelled so sweet. Lasted almost all week. I still have many pretty flowers blooming
- Rehab visits with sis
- Stopped at Menards while visiting sis. Got some fun add-ins for holiday baskets (mushroom growing kits), things for kiddos and some things I had trouble finding for gardening this year - all set for next year
- Froze leftovers I had or used in a new way
- Cleaned out refrigerator and consolidated many jars and bottles
- Made 14 pints of salsa & canned - most will be gifts. I have plenty from past for my needs & cooking
- Washed lots of freezer bags (from tomatoes) to use again
- I raked a ton of leaves and have a big pile ready to put on garden once it is totally empty
- I mowed the entire yard - the rigged-up wheel worked just fine!
- Cut the last little cabbages from garden
- Used the scalding canning water on the still thriving weeds out front in the rock!
- Did some mending
- Made OJ from concentrate
- Hard boiled several eggs for snacks
- Meals from home and using what I have on hand
- Got to punch a new hole in my belt! WOOHOO
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Trash to Treasure - Food Edition
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Ready, Set, Let's Get Pantry Ready for Winter!
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
We Got This
Happy Tuesday to all. I am writing this on Monday evening and posting very early on Tuesday - as I plan on being out the door early to vote. Please be sure you do too. It is very important.
Monday was a cool rainy and breezy day. I did get out and walk a little and did a little outdoor work in between raindrops! It was so dreary. I tell you, I now arise an hour earlier by the clock (thank you kitties and time change). The day seems sooooooo long. Sounds crazy, but it is dark by 6PM and there is still plenty of day to do stuff. I rather liked it getting dark at 8PM or 9PM - closer to bedtime!!
PLEASE NO POLITICS!
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Weekly Wrap-Up 11/3
- I rearranged my living room, as much as I could on Sunday. It has been the same for 22 years!! Not a lot I can do - but I moved some things, so I have more spots to read or watch TV with my feet up! Nice change.
- Went out to lunch with my sister - her treat! Had a fun time
- Went to lunch with my grade school friends. That was fun and we had about 28 show up!
- Got to air the house a lot
- While out - I got monthly gas fill-up with my discount from Kroger. Saved .40 gallon. I also got about 2 gallons for home - just to have over the winter in case myself or someone needs it. Paid 2.79/gal.
- Stopped at thrift store as well. I found a long gray sweater wrap. I also got a Christmas sweater and sweatshirt - both are brand new
- I went through the freezers again, and realized I am totally set for all the upcoming holidays - through Easter - for meat. I also have all I need for any get togethers and enough meat and frozen veggies for myself for a long, long while. I eat with family on the holidays, but like having my own goodies here to munch on.
- I reorganized and cleaned the deep pantry as well. Dusted the cans and jars - and emptied some crates and reorganized. Got all my basket 'stuffers' together for the holidays - more to get.
- Other than 2 days out - cooked from home and used up all leftovers, made a batch of biscuits as well.