Hello and happy Sunday to all. I surely hope this finds you well and safe.
It is dry here at the moment just muggy - oh the rain has been awful this week. I am all good and feel so very blessed, but my heart goes out to so very many people.
We have areas here in the city (closer to river, but minutes away) that are flooded, there are ENTIRE towns under water, loss of businesses, homes, vehicles, farms, crops, roads and bridges, and most sadly - lives. Some are calling this a hundred-year flood, and even a couple have called it a thousand-year flood. It has just been devastating. About half of our state is a disaster area according to the governor.
I know that you gals that have survived hurricanes, can sympathize. We just aren't used to this type of weather. After today, we are to get a couple nicer and dry days.
I know I have other Hoosiers here, and some from Ohio and IL (areas have been hit bad) I just pray all are safe. Even south of here may get the flooding as the river flows south and it is at a level not seen in our lifetime.
My frugal week:
- I had a luncheon with grade school friends. Not all are from my class - just anyone that attended the school (no longer exists). I met a new lady that showed up, that graduated high school and grew up in the neighborhood with my eldest brother (he would have been 89 now). She is a doll, and I have a new friend, we talked and talked. I think she enjoyed having someone who knew the same people to talk to
- Had a spa night at home and gave myself a pedi
- Have tried to work more out front on the flower bed, as I could. Dead heading as flowers die back
- HARVEST - lots of yummies, keeping me in fresh goods
- Dehumidifier water in laundry. Does it save a lot? No - but I hate to just not use it and pour it down the drain. 6 gallons each time I use it in laundry
- Canned sweet banana peppers rings for sandwiches and pizza
- Picked up lots and lots of limbs and sticks from storms - good exercise
- Cut my hair
- Made hummy nectar
- Took apart the dehumidifier and cleaned it really well. It gets a lot of use, and I hadn't cleaned the filters in ages
- I paid my neighbors older son to come and clean all the gutters while it wasn't raining - I was having overflow in areas. They were packed solid in spots! Worth every penny
- NO grocery again this week
- Got to put a new hole in my belt! My poor jeans were drooping
- I froze some brown gravy I had left from a meal in ice cube tray - will be good in future soups
- Since I have been in the house a lot due to rain, I have started fall cleaning
- Using what I have and cooking from home
Meals this past week:
Deluxe smash burger, salad
Out to eat
Roasted cheese and tomato flatbread
Chopped steak w/gravy, jalapeno mac and cheese
Chicken tenders, tom/cuke/onion salad
Loaded nachos
Chicken/veggie wraps
SNACKS - fruit, popcorn and leftovers
I can't wait to be able to get out and cut grass this week and trim again - boy, the rain sure does make the grass and weeds grow! It looks awful - but I am fortunate that I have a lawn to mow.
I hope you are all safe, healthy and doing well. Please check in and let us know that you doing well and SAFE! There have been so many storms and bad weather happening all over.
I hope you all had a great week - let us know of any deals, ideas, or things that have saved you money this week.
I wish you all a safe and healthy week ahead.
Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.
*************************
Prayers for all of those hit by floods in Midwest and fires in the West! Goodness! Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteFrom your mouth to God's ears. It sure is something.
DeleteI hope your new job is going well.
Have a great week.
So far so good… lol. Thank you! You have a great week as well! Cindy in the South
DeleteGood to hear!!!!!
DeleteMy heart goes out to all dealing with natural disasters. Another 38mm of rain fell last wk; certainly manageable. The ground water has dropped as evidenced by the septic pump not kicking in every 3 hrs. The week was filled w/ gardening - weeding perennial bed; hoeing tomatoes & fertilizing; grass cutting; picking peas & beans. Renewed my driver's license - new format combining license w/ citizenship ID & health care #. My son's job brought him an hour away so I joined him for supper at his campground. Enjoyed lunch w/ friends & a coffee visit w/ another friend that I ran into when we were out & about. I love having the time to enjoy these impromptu gatherings. In the kitchen: chocolate chip cookies; pickled eggs; egg salad; creamed garden veg & bbq trout; turkey soup; taco salad; zucchini muffins; pasta salad. Have a good week, Cheryl & all.
ReplyDeleteGlad your rain hasn't been devastating. Sounds like a good week. How nice to have outings with those you care about.
DeleteAll your kitchen goodies sound wonderful.
Have a lovely week.
Cheryl, I saw some of the news coverage of the flooding in your area and it is heartbreaking. I hope the rain is over but I know that may not be the end of rivers rising. Many people (I include myself) don’t realize the power of Mother Nature until it hits home. Years ago my friend’s niece in New Jersey lost her home to Super Storm Sandy. I knew it was bad but didn’t understand the devastation until we had Hurricanes Helene and Milton one month apart in 2024. In my area thousands of people were flooded. Some have still not recovered. I was blessed to only have a giant mess of tree debris to clean up.
ReplyDeleteMy only frugal savings this week (and month) was keeping my a/c at 78 overnight and 80 during the day. I’ll get my electric bill in a few days and I’m satisfied that I’ve done what I can to keep it “low.” It was still 84 outside last night at 10:45 when I went to bed.
Here’s a “shocking” price increase I saw this week. Hefty 30-gallon strong (not extra strong) cinch sacks, 56 count, are $21.79 at Publix, up 4.30 (25%) from $17.49 when I last checked the price increase in December 2025. Of course plastic is an oil-based product. Walmart’s price online is $20.24 so about $1.50 cheaper but I believe Publix will be cheaper when there is a sale. When I first started my list in May 2025 the bags were $15.49 with a sale price of $13.29. Thankfully I have four unopened boxes and two open boxes (total will last me at least two years) but I’m going to start looking for sales. Barbara M.
Mother nature can sure pack a wallop. I don't think any us really think about what nature can do. Wind and water and fire are just horrible.
DeleteI keep my AC at 78* as well. It is much cooler than outdoors!
I need to get trash bags this coming week or soon - that is a big increase. I didn't think that they went up that much - dang.
Sounds like you are prepared. It always pays to have extra and watch for sales.
Have a special week.
Much sympathy for the flooded folks. That's so disheartening, water water everywhere. Here's a prayer that repairs and reconstruction will occur soon and smoothly. Excellent prayer, Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteMaryB
It is all so sad, and the river is rising today in other areas and those people have to leave. I sure hope repair and reconstruction CAN start soon. Some of the towns are historical towns and small villages (1,700 or less). I just think about the history and just all the memorabilia destroyed.
DeleteThanks.
Have a beautiful week.
For sure on the rain and the grass. I try (but don't always make it), to mow before the rain. Missed it this go. Very sad about so much water damage. Not fun at all.
ReplyDeleteI did mine before, but you sure can't tell! It looks so long, especially out back. It sure is sad.
DeleteHave a great week.
It certainly has been a bad year for extreme weather, fires, floods, hurricanes, have devastated so many areas. I do hope that those impacted will find their way through these challenges with assistance from family, friends and the authorities.
ReplyDeleteYour luncheon with former schoolmates sounds fun. I live too far away to meet with any I knew but there is still FB to allow some to keep in touch.
It has been a bad year for sure. I so hope that everyone finds their way through the red tape and mess to get back to some normalcy. At least it isn't cold out. I love when you see stories about people pitching in and helping.
DeleteThis was a really good luncheon this time. It is always nice to see people from childhood and the old neighborhood.
Have a good week.
Excellent devotional! "Guide us each one to be our best person." This should be the prayer of each of us.
ReplyDeleteThe flooding is of biblical proportions! I feel so bad for those whose homes, vehicles and personal belongings have been destroyed. It's hard to imagine starting over. I heard the comment about it being a thousand year flood too.
What fun meeting a lady who knew your brother. There is an almost immediate bond with those connections. We run into people who knows someone we know all the time. There is a lady who works at Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market in Avon, and Erin's neighbor used to work for her at a bowling alley in Greenwood a few years ago.
Yay on a new hole in your belt! The Farmer said he doesn't recognize the peppers. I need to pickle some of our banana peppers. They have performed the best this summer. We have potatoes about to be harvested and green beans growing like crazy. We are going to miss all this.
See you on Tuesday!
Yes mam, it should be our mantra!
DeleteI cannot imagine what all these people are going through. It is so heartbreaking. In many cases, they will have nothing, but their lives.
It really is a small world. Like you said, there seems to always be someone somewhere that we know, or knows our family, etc.
I have lost weight this summer, and I feel so much better. Well, shucks, thanks for asking him. They taste good, so I guess I will just can like those you get at a sub shop. My banana peppers have gone bonkers too. Yay on the harvests - fresh is so good.
Have a lovely week.
I hadn't heard about the dreadful flooding. I sincerely hope that the worst has passed.
ReplyDeleteWe have had a very dry Summer on this side of the pond, with lots of wildfires. For the first time ever I have given serious thought as to what things ought to be in our grab bags should the order ever be given for us to evacuate our home. I am sure that those who live in parts of the world prone to extreme weather events will roll their eyes, but for someone who has lived all her life in England, the 'new normal' is very worrying.
On a lighter note, I harvested 50 % of my greengage crop this week. I cut it in half and shared it with my husband! I am looking forward to enjoying the other greengage when it ripens, always assuming that I get to it before the birds do.
It is the worst flooding that my state has seen in over a century in so many places. The rains were torrential. Rivers are still rising, but right now rain has stopped. It will take years for these towns to get back, if they ever do.
DeleteSome areas of our country are having fires as well. Seems to be one evil or the other. I understand wanting to think about what to take if necessary. I have never thought about having a go-bag either, as there has never been a reason for my area.
I had to look up greengage - never heard of that before. Sounds kind of like plums. Enjoy them!
Have a special week.
Hi Cheryl. I am very glad to hear you and your home are safe from the flooding. All okay here in Arizona, nothing new, just life plodding on. Have a good week, and I will add prayers for the flooding folks. Hilogene in Az.
ReplyDeleteThank you and glad to hear you are doing well. So many prayers are needed for those poor folks. They sure do need help.
DeleteHave a great week.
I am fine up in northern Idaho. I live about 35 miles from the fires in Spokane, WA, so we have had a lot of smoke. But that is nothing compared to the hundreds of people who lost their homes, including my son's ex-girlfriend and her husband. Their house burned to the foundation and they lost everything.
ReplyDeleteI had decided to give away my big pieces of meat, such as roasts, because I just do not have the energy to deal with them. I had a lightbulb moment. I am going to cook them (how hard is it to cook a roast??) and share with other singles. I just emailed a friend's daughter who moved over the weekend and asked if I could drop off some pot roast tomorrow night. The veggies might seem a bit much for August but the shredded meat will make excellent Mexican food. In the future I am going to focus on ground beef, chicken parts, steaks and chops, etc.....things I can cook and eat only once or twice. TBH, I could easily become a vegetarian (eating cheese and eggs) except at my age I don't want to have to learn to cook all over again!
Best wishes and prayers to you and all of the readers. Stay out of harm's way if at all possible!
--Maxine aka mikemax
Glad you are safe - that still seems close to the fires to me. I can't imagine losing everything - such devastation.
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea with larger pieces of meat. That will help so many out. I bet the gal that just moved will appreciate that.
I tend to buy packs of meat that I can separate into individual servings for myself and freeze them that way. I could probably do vegetarian as well - but I do like my meat too!
Thank you so much - I sure hope all that are near or in the affected areas are ok.
Have a fantastic week.
I am sorry for all the flooding and the damage it can cause, however I am happy to read that you are safe.
ReplyDeleteYour luncheon sounds like lots of fun. Not sure what those peppers are as until you said they weren't hot I thought they could have been Hungarian peppers.
God bless.
Thank you - so glad to hear from you. It is a real shame for so many - thousands.
DeleteThat is what I thought or at first I thought maybe jalapeno - but I got brave and tasted one - and not hot. Thanks for trying.
Have a wonderful week!
Hi Cheryl! I hate to hear about all the flooding. It's so scary and devastating. We have lived through horrible flooding, due to hurricanes, and it's very traumatic. Currently in Texas we are in a heat wave, with highs in upper 90's this entire week. I think August is my least favorite month of the year. I'm glad you're staying cool inside :) Take care.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, glad to see you stop by. It is just awful. I sure cannot imagine losing everything and having to start from scratch. What a horrible thing to happen to so many.
DeleteIt seems Texas stays hot a lot of the summer. I don't think I would like that. Stay cool. I miss your blog!!!!
Thank you. Have a lovely week.
It's heartbreaking and devastating for so many people here in Indiana. A week ago we had such a terrible storm in Northern Indiana that whole trees were uprooted and lots of damaged homes. The National Guard was called in to help clean up and people are still waiting to get their power turned back on. Now the terrible flooding down your way, Cheryl. So much to pray for. I'm glad you are safe.
ReplyDeleteWe are still harvesting lots of tomatoes. Our cucumbers and green beans didn't do too well this year. I will be cleaning them out and planting some lettuce.
Have a good week!
The above comment was from Darcy (NanaD)
DeleteWe had the rain start here in central Ohio on Monday and then the big storm came in on Tuesday. By 11 AM Tuesday our power was out and wasn’t restored until Friday night around 9 pm.
ReplyDeleteIn 33 years here, we have never had the power go out for more than 4 hours and those times were infrequent! A huge Tree of Heaven (what a misnomer for this horrible tree!) fell from our neighbor’s back yard, blocking our alley where City services do their pick up(trash, recycling) and also landing on top of our 20 foot drive through gate at the end of our parking pad.
I’m so glad that a few years back, we felt impressed to diversify our food storage and can meat and ,any other things that we used to keep exclusively in our freezer. We were able to have choices for meals- BBQ beef or chicken, sloppy joes or pulled pork on buns, Chipotle beef and black beans or chicken fajita mixture in tortillas, PBJ sandwiches with homemade wheat bread. All things we had on our shelves. We felt incredibly blessed!
Now we are remembering little “gaps” that we had in our preps and will start to address those in the coming weeks!
Our prayers go out to so many who had a harder time of it than we did!
Gardenpat in Ohio
Pat I am so sorry that you had to go through all that. Gates are replaceable, but people aren't. So glad you are safe and that your home is ok. You are a fine example of why we need to diversify our supplies - we just never know what can happen.
DeleteThis is one reason I have a whole house generator - it would be costly to run with the natural gas, but at least my freezer would be good, and I would have heat and cooling.
Take care of yourselves and wishing a much better week!
I Google Lensed your peppers, Cheryl and Google says they are not hot sweet banana peppers. The weather sounds just awful up there, those poor families. My friends in Illinois have been putting photos of trees down on their house and it's just been awful for them too, sadly.
ReplyDeleteYour meals sounds delicious, especially the smash burger. Woo Hoo on a new hole in your belt. I love that for you!
I hope you have a great week!
So sorry about your weather. We in FL know, believe me.
ReplyDeleteYou give me so much inspiration (all of you bloggers do!) and I love reading all the blogs. I just wish I had more umphf to get it all done. Some days are so much more productive than others. I wonder if writing down everything would help? I have a hard time meal planning too...There is just me and my brother and it is so hard to cook meals for two. I know I can freeze things, but they most often get lost in the freezer and not eaten! Ugh, the vicious circle, lol. Things could be worse though and I am thankful for everything I have!! XOXO to all