Howdy Ho all!!! It is a glorious morning here in my area. Cool, sun is shining, little humidity, and the birds are singing! It kind of looks a little hazy, but that will burn off as it heats up. We got a nice steady rain yesterday morning - I swear it looks like the tomato plants grew a foot!!!
All are fed, and right now Bitsy is getting a treat - a window open and sitting in the fresh air!
I hope you are all well this morning.
As cleaning and sorting in the last week - I have been reminded (by myself) that we need to use what we have!!! Use it or lose it! The items we have in our freezers, refrigerators and pantries is MONEY. Yep, you spent good money to have those items - make sure you use it. The things you have grown and preserved took time and labor - you don't want to waste those either.
Try to come up with as many ways you can to use what you have. Make it a game. Get the family involved. This prevents throwing away good food and money. Once you start using what you have, just watch sales and clearance and restock as needed.
Make sure to learn to use those leftovers. It doesn't have to be the same thing day after day. It can be re-invented into a new dish or a casserole or soup. Eat them for lunch or breakfast. Just eat them! Don't stick them in the fridge to become the next great science project! LOL
Plan your menus around what you have. ALWAYS shop your home first before going to the store! It truly helps to reduce that grocery budget. Groceries are the one discretionary item in our budget. We can choose how to spend and what to spend on. That isn't always true with the remainder of our bills.
When you do shop - make a list! Along that note - always check clearance as well - you never know what you may find. That is when you add things not on that list. Check ads before going out and buy sale items only if at all possible.
Never shop hungry!
Right now, gardens are starting to thrive and within the month we should all be harvesting lots of goodies. Whether it is tomatoes, zucchini, beans, lettuce, herbs, onions, carrots, etc. USE it! Find new ways to use that item in your menu. Enjoy this time of the year - it ends all too soon.
If you don't grow - think about farm markets or roadside stands. Many folks set up 'honesty' stands - where you can get produce and leave the money for it in a slotted box. Lots of times homeowners or farmers do this around here.
Be smart, be thrifty and use what you have and get CREATIVE. Enjoy the wonders of the season to the fullest.
Have a lovely day - smile - and enjoy the little 'glimmers'.