Happy Sunday. Happy December. Well gang, 3 1/2 weeks until Christmas! Oh my!!
Oh baby, it is cold outside. I know those way north of here are much colder - but we went from a lovely warm fall to cold overnight! I guess the southern part of the state got snow yesterday afternoon, but I got nothing. Happy of that!
Donna - I wanted to say thank you for the lovely card - I did get it before Thanksgiving, I just kept forgetting to mention it.💗
Well now that Thanksgiving is done - it is forward to Christmas. I still have much to do - not huge things, but lots of small stuff.
YES!!!!!
My frugal week:- Visits with sis
- Stopped at Menards again last weekend and got one new metal trash can for critter feed - one of the old ones finally gave out
- Got gas for 1.99/gal. with Kroger points
- I told you about the meat deal at Kroger and the fruit clearance
- Still have and using tomatoes I brought in from garden end - they slowly turn red!
- Neighbor brought me some bananas - he works his church food pantry - and they got cases - and couldn't give them all away. So he brought me some, as well as other neighbors
- Gave myself a pedi
- I put up the outdoor wreaths and holiday flag while it was warmer at the first of week
- Tons of laundry - all furniture throws and bedding
- Baked a small boneless turkey breast I had
- Got a pack of really good Kroger coupons in the mail
- Have had free movie channels all weekend and have recorded some movies for later. The Secret Garden (original) got recorded. I love watching that every year - such a good show.
- Have been working on sewing a lot (nieces quilt/throw)
- I did a little indoor decorating yesterday - pretty simple - but enough for me
- NO other shopping for me this week
- Making my lists and checking them twice!
Meals this past week:
Tuna patty and leftover mashed pots and gravy
Taco rice bowl topped with fresh veggies
Cheesy/ranch fries, pork chop sandwich, small salad
Cup of broccoli cheese soup (freezer), and grilled cheese
Thanksgiving w/family
Leftover sides sent home from T-Day and cold turkey sandwich (my fav)
'Alice Springs' turkey, steamed baby broccoli spears and tomatoes
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving (those that celebrate). Some of the neighbors have now lit their houses for Christmas - many decorated w/lights while warm.
Did you get any deals this week or did you stay home from stores? Any Black Friday deals? Have you started or finished your decorating?
I really am missing some of you guys. Sure would like to know that all are well - please check in and say hello!
Wishing you all a lovely week ahead - stay safe, healthy and warm.
Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home, as I sit here with 2 kitties all curled up and sleeping!
********************************
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.
Psalms 145:3
May we sing praises to our Lord, through good and bad times, which He helps us through. May we keep our minds set on Him. His love is steadfast and endures all. We know He is beside us always.
Thank You for our every blessing.
Help us to practice kindness, listen to our hearts, and to let go of what we cannot control and just to live our best lives. AMEN
That is a terrific price for gas! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteThat was kind of your neighbor to share the bananas with you all.
We really like The Secret Garden and have watched several versions of it. I need to add it to our list of movies to watch for Christmas. We are watching The Family Stone right now.
I’ve been working on the baskets for Christmas and then found out yesterday we are not doing gifts this year, but Dirty Santa and will only need one gift. I was disappointed as you know I’ve been working on mine for over a month, but didn’t let on, but totally understand and agree with the financial reason for the choice as the family has gotten really big. I just need to regroup and it’ll all work out.
No Black Friday shopping for me. We stayed home and put our Christmas tree up. I wrapped a few presents last night. It will be here very soon.
I can hear one of my kitties in the wrapping paper of which no good can come so I’m off to investigate. 😂
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, Cheryl.
It was the cheapest gas I have gotten in ages. I just love that movie, and I really love the old version.
DeleteOh dang it. What a bummer - they should have not waited to the last minute to mention that. Many people have been done shopping for ages. Well, hopefully you can use the items - or make smaller versions for those who help you - trash guy, postman, library, etc. Maybe a neighbor who has been extra nice - I bet you will come up with some good ideas. Any birthdays soon?
It is nice to be in the warm cozy house and lights on and kitties checking it out!!
Have a lovely week.
I was thinking they shouldn't have waited until the last minute either, but like you said, we will make smaller versions for our trash men, as we have two of them. And Bailey has some reseller Santa's to do, so I told her I already had stuff. We will just make the best of it and not worry about it. :)
DeleteI know you will come up with some ideas and others will totally enjoy!
DeleteTime seems to fly by. I always marvel at your fuel prices; we pay ~ double. The snow angel arrived on Mon to clear the driveway & yard. I just had to clear footpaths, deck & steps. There was a little snow overnight again. A cousin came to pick up her chicken order & we enjoyed an overnight visit. So you know, that translates into preparing the guest room before & after. I visited with another cousin on the return trip from the WM 1.5hrs away. Shopping is complete for the neighbor little. I enjoyed the monthly massage. Living alone, it's the only time I experience skin-to-skin contact, not to mention what it does for my muscles. I only walked 1mi this past week but did spend 1.5 hrs clearing snow. I attended 2 craft fairs yesterday & picked up some delightful seasonal pillow cases. The thing I enjoyed the most was meeting up with friends & neighbors. Dec 1 means it's time for me to start setting out Christmas decor & turning on the outdoor lights. Today I'm off to a memorial service with my neighbor. The funeral home hosts this annually for all the families it's served. In the kitchen: liver w/ onions & bacon, garlic mashed potatoes & green beans; lettuce salad. Time for Christmas baking this week. Have a good week, Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteThat price was after my discount for Kroger points - but still not too bad here right now.
DeleteGot to love the snow angel! How nice. I'd say your shoveling constitutes exercise and walking. I bet that massage felt great. I have never had a professional one! Glen used to give good ones - I sure miss those. I bet the pillowcases are nice.
Nice to be with friends - I have an event in a week.
What a nice thing to do for those families left. That is pretty special.
I did a little baking (for me) this morning. Your meals sound good - even the liver and onions!
Have a blessed week.
I stayed pretty quiet this weekend, other than one run to the shop for milk and a quick expedition downtown (Saturday) to find Xmas for daughter-in-law. Success! :) That gift is always a challenge for me. She loves to shop but a gift card is not exactly what I want to give her "under the tree"... I want a little present for her to unwrap. There will be money in a card as well. As long as I stick to our little town and buy at our little local shops I think I'm pretty safe - her center is more towards the city, because that's where she works, and she likes the bigger shops.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I know, there is no point in buying a pretty mug. She loves coffee, but she has those fancy lidded plastic "in-the-car" tumblers. Pity, as I see many lovely handmade mugs here.
Yes, it sure is cold. Today I'm working on the leftovers of ham from my son's house, making stock for soup. At the moment the bowl of stock is on the back porch chilling so I can skim the fat. The bones and fat can go out with the trash this week.
Sing praises to the Lord! That's a grand plan and my daily ritual. Thanks, Cheryl.
Stay warm, y'all!
MaryB
Some people are much harder than others to shop for. I have a couple that just buy anything and everything their heart desires, and I have limited ideas. I understand that completely.
DeleteHam stock sounds good - I bet it smells lovely.
Yep, it is cold. Glad it waited later to get cold!
Praises every day!
Have a super week.
I only had to buy a couple of things for stuff I was making for Thanksgiving as well as soda for the husband's side. I shopped around my pantry and freezer to see what I could make without having to spend much. My oldest was sick so it was just me and the youngest at my parents and my husband went alone to his.
ReplyDeleteTwo doctor visits this week - the oldest was sick with something going around and the yearly well child check up for the youngest. I was able to get a referral to speech for him and surprisingly already have that set up for this week, so one less thing on my need to do list.
I take advantage of the black Friday streaming services sale every year. $4 a month for a year for Hulu, Disney, and Starz and $20 for the year for Peacock.
I only bought one actual thing for Black Friday - a Lego set my son has been asking for for Christmas for months now. $80 marked down to $45. Online, I don't go in the stores if I can help it.
Got several kids DVDs and Mickey Mouse and Paw Patrol wall decorations out of a little free library thing, also donated several books to it.
We put up our Christmas tree and window clings this week.
Glad you shopped the pantry for your dinner. Just smart. Sorry you had a sick kiddo. Hope all are well now.
DeleteThat is great on the video channels - I understand that is needed more with children. Got to keep them occupied. I don't watch enough TV to need them.
Great deal on the Legos - they are so expensive. I looked at some a couple weeks ago and was startled how expensive they were.
Enjoy the decorations. Nice to get goodies from the free library. Sounds like you work hard at staying frugal.
Have a great week.
Good morning! I had my mom with me for much of this past week and have not had much time for my regular online tasks. She's now back home to her senior living community and I'm starting to get things back to normal. While here, I took her shopping for some pieces to add to her winter wardrobe to help keep her warm. She got 2 pair of jeans, a sweater, and 2 pair of what she calls sleep socks (fuzzy ones, not what you would wear in your shoes) on sale and then an additional 20% off. And, at another store, she found 2 heavy sweaters, a brushed flannel/fleece shirt that she can wear over a tee, and 2 pair of corduroy pants -- all on sale + an additional amount off. Me? I got nothing! But, on "small business Saturday" I visited a craft shop and they had some good deals on small sample products ($5, an excellent price for the items) and were offering 20% off on gift cards. Bingo! Got a couple of things for gift baskets.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet that your mom got to spend most of the week with you. I bet that was nice for you both.
DeleteFuzzy socks are always a favorite with most gals I know! They are warm. It sounds like she is ready for a cold winter's day!
Glad you got a little something at the small business for yourself and others.
It all sounds lovely.
Have a fantastic week. Get all caught up!
Fabulous devotional! Timely for any season of the year.
ReplyDeleteSaved the quote to my Quotes board on Pinterest. Little sayings like that are inspirational and comforting.
Glad you liked the card! I send out some cards throughout the year; I enjoy selecting special ones for special people.
Brrr, cold this morning! Looks like midweek will be in the 40's. That remains to be seen. The kitties know just what to do when it is cold out.
Good price for gas...take the discounts when they present themselves. You're like us, we don't drive much so we don't use much fuel.
Thank you. I love getting cards, they are so personal.
DeleteYe, I thought about going out and well, just decided to stay home!
I love the discounts - those points add up quickly, especially the Friday ones! I fill up once a month - and then usually need less than a half tank.
Have a wonderful week. Stay warm.
I'm glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving and a pretty good week all around. The temperatures tanked here too, and we got about 4 inches of snow overnight. It is so pretty. Binx had fun watching it fall. It's like each year he's seeing it for the first time. Stay warm and have a wonderful week!!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was a good week.
Deletewow, on the snow - nothing at all here. Have you ever brought in a pan of it for him to play in? I used to do that years ago for a couple kitties. They would have a blast.
You have a super week.
My best Black Friday deals were a package of 30 AA batteries for $6.99 at Menards, and a pair of winter boots for $19.99 at J.C Penney, regularly priced at $80. I also finished my Christmas shopping, got several items for the house. and kept within the budget I had set for myself.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the snow stays away and your weather warms up. It is still very cold here (-23C/-9F) as I'm writing this but we'll see a slight warm up this week.
Good deals! Glad you got your shopping done and had a nice little trip as well. We warm a tiny bit mid-week, then it gets cold again. I hope the snow stays away as well. I hope you warm up some, that is cold!
DeleteHave a great week.
We have eaten the last of the fresh veg from CSA-I roasted the remaining fingerling potatoes for dinner today along with a bag of brussel sprouts I bought cuz I've missed them! (I cannot buy any veg during CSA May-Nov).
ReplyDeleteTime to hit the freezer for all I've preserved since it started in May. I'm grateful that it's too much food for us these days as there is a lot in the freezer.
I didn't buy this week but my grocery list for Wednesday is growing as I run out. It's all good :-)
Wishing everyone a fabulous December.
You did so well with all the CSA boxes. I think it is so neat that you put back so much for the winter. Get all that holiday food, make your list and check it twice!
DeleteHave a fantastic week and happy shopping.
Excellent price on that gas. Like Maebeme we are seeing a slight warm up in my corner of the province. A warm up usually brings some snow and that is what is happening today and yesterday.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks. Best price I have paid in probably years.
DeleteGlad you are warming up some - that is always nice.
Stay safe and have a great week.