Hello to all this Sunday morning. I surely hope this finds you all well and safe.
Very chilly morning here. It is 40* outside at the moment and was 68* inside when I got up. It is the coldest morning we have had in months. I tell you that bed sure did feel good this morning (and yesterday). I did not want to get up. I got out the longer jammie pants the past couple evenings and added a heavy throw on top of the bed. That made sleeping very enjoyable and restful.
It finally feels like October is here. It will get chilly again tonight, and then we go back to above normal temps for at least the next week, maybe the remainder of the month. It does look as if my car has some frost on it, from looking out the window. It is dark still and I haven't been out yet.
My frugal week:
- I still had a little leak in the kitchen (after the neighbors' work) but not as bad. He came back over and we both noticed at the same time, that the flashing on the chimney looked loose. He fixed that and tarred around it and did a few more shingles and I am happy to report NO more leak (we did have a big rain to test it). YAY!
- He blew the gutters out again while up there - the poplar is so close to the house & has dropped most of its leaves
- I did some leaf clean-up in the yard and around the garage (kitties loved that)
- Walking around the street and picking up blowing trash and items (it has been windy)
- I mowed and trimmed everything & did a bit more yard work
- HARVEST - I finished it up. One last cuke, lots of tomatoes and peppers (plants still in). The basket below is the size of those grocery baskets.
- I got started on the basement clean - did a lot, but nowhere near done
- Cats all got flea meds (I had already)
- Laundry cold water and hung to dry
- Cooked up the last of the fresh broccoli that needed used and froze for later (for soup)
- Hard boiled some eggs for snacks
- Did a real deep vacuum
- Been using up leftovers and cooking from home
- NO grocery this week - using what I have
- I did get out a little heater to use, instead of using furnace. I got several little heaters two years ago on clearance and have kept them for in case (or gifts)!
Meals this week:
Cheese/rice/broc/ham skillet and biscuits
Enchiladas (used l/o rice)
1/2 enchilada and bean/cheese tostada
Tuna salad and fresh veggies
Fried green tomatoes and chicken tenders
Sausage ravioli (freezer) in sauce (homemade), garlic toast
Fish, fries and veggie slaw
That is about it for me. We did get a lot of rain on Thursday evening and Friday morning. The ground sure needed it. I did turn on the AC on one late afternoon for a cycle - it got to 87* that day, and now the weather is frosty. Crazy stuff.
It did frost some - but the annuals still look fine. It is now daylight and I have been out and fed all the cats. Boy, are they happy to see me in the morning!!!!
How was your week? Is your garden done now? Are you doing any after harvest stocking or canning?
Let us know what your weather is like. I love hearing from you all - heard from several new people this week and many regulars that have been missing some. Love it.
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.
Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.
*************************
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 4:17
Lord, we come to You in thankfulness for the week past and blessings on the upcoming week. You have again gotten us all through another week, and we are so grateful. Guide us each one on our paths this week to do good and be a good representative here on earth. Continue to lay Your healing hands on all in need, no matter their need, whether mind, body or soul. Thank You for all our blessings. AMEN
The sunrises/sunsets have been spectacular with pink hues coloring the skies. Sunrise occurs @ 8am with ~2hrs to go until the winter solstice when sunrise won't occur until ~10am. I find solace in knowing that we could be living further north where the polar night lasts for months. I wouldn't like that. I got 4 miles of walking in, now with winter jacket, toque & gloves. A fire gets lit in the woodstove each evening. 5 pts of tomato soup were processed. I enjoyed 2 Thanksgiving meals at neighbors' homes. Sadly, one of those neighbor's husband died 3 days later. You never know what a day will bring. I attended a workshop to learn more about the phone. I did pick up a few tips. Most importantly, the librarian helped me get started with the library digital downloads. I do prefer a hard copy in my hands but will appreciate this on snowdays. I helped make nalysnyky for the assisted living fund raiser. Many hands make light work. The electrician was here one morning before I was even dressed to tend to the oven issue. The small part would cost >$300 + labor with no guarantee. A new stove was ordered. The neighbor little was here one morning while her parents rode the countryside in search of a horse that escaped. In the kitchen: 2 qts pickled eggs; vegetable barley soup; lasagna. And that's another week here at the bottom of the hill.
ReplyDeleteSunrise and sunset is always so magical. Love the beautiful colors. 10 AM - oh my, that is a late sunrise. Our time changes Nov 2 - we fall back an hour - so that should make it about 6:30 - 7AM here. Now it is 7:30. Of course night fall will happen sooner - probably 6:30 or earlier. That is one reason I dislike the winter months - I hate all the darkness.
DeleteI can't imagine polar nights!
Nice on 2 Thanksgiving meals - but sorry to hear that one passed. No you sure never know.
Had to look up nalysnyky - new word to me. Sounds yummy!
Well, I am sorry you have to get a new stove, but at least you will have an oven!
The barley soup sounds good.
Stay warm and cozy and have a good week.
It turned much cooler overnight (Friday) and hit a high of 70 yesterday (Saturday ). It was crazy how hot it was when I left work in Montgomery on Friday evening, and how much cooler it was when I got home an hour and a half later! But supposed to be hot again next week in upper 80’s. I have a little heater similar to the one you have pictured but I haven’t taken it out of the box yet. Since my stove is completely beyond repair, I have been cooking in the crockpot. It has been an easy transition. I got chicken legs at Aldi ( it is on my route home from work) for 89 cents a lb and made a chicken, kale, and sweet potato soup. Basically I make a soup in crockpot on weekends, freeze portions for later in week and pop it in fridge before work, heat it up in crockpot when I get home, and I am running around doing things. I could get a microwave but have not needed it. I will get around to getting a new stove eventually. I am trying to pay yearly taxes this month and next before the end of the year arrives! Have a splendid week! Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy how fast the temps can change. I opened mine yesterday morning. Glad the transition from stove to crockpot has been easy. That is good you have it all figured out. I do have a microwave - although it rarely gets used.
DeleteI need to get insurance paid this week. Taxes and insurance - 2 things we can't get rid of!!!
Have a wonderful week.
Cold here this morning, I have my cube heater going by my chair and the furnace has cycled 2 times it is set to 64. I live in a woods and lots of shade around the house. I don't want to start the wood burner yet as we will get warmer next week.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I am keeping up with outdoor chores for the moment.
I did early voting this week for the very first time. I felt that I had read and researched as much as possible and wanted it done.
Soup was on the menu this week, Panera copycat creamy chicken and wild rice was a huge hit and will definitely make again. I also made shrimp/corn soup and it was very good also but very rich. Next time I will use crab instead of shrimp.
Egg salad made and have had grilled pimento cheese to go with soup.
I have been plugging in the twinkle lights and it feels so cozy. I do not like col weather and the dreariness but try to find ways to combat the SAD. Twinkle lights and candles help.
JC
Oh that is chilly in the house. The little heaters sure are nice. I would have the furnace on too if that chilly. Yes, this next week should be lovely, if all goes as predicted.
DeleteI have never voted early - there is just something about going the day of the election (for me).
That soup sounds wonderful. I made a creamy wild rice soup earlier in the year and goodness, it was good. Mmmm shrimp or crab soup sounds good too.
Funny you mention the lights - just yesterday I put a small strand of white lights on a corner piece I have - it acts as a night light, and they just look cute. I hate the cold and dreariness. Yep, we have to find our own ways!
Have a special week.
It makes total sense. That is just wasted energy - when we could put that energy into something lovely. Hence my meme - turn off the news and watch the leaves.
ReplyDeleteYep, got to love the free 'grow-ceries'. I will have tomatoes for a good long time.
That is so aggravating. When I had to give in a get a new washer, they were expensive then, and who knows how long it will last. Bet not as long as the first one. Yep, just a throw away society and it really ticks me off.
I keep seeing a warmer winter season here. I hope that is the case. They have so much fun outside - chasing each other and anything that moves! I see the birds do that on the grasses out back - it is cute.
It is very pretty today, and the sky is so blue.
Have a super week
This morning there was heavy frost on everything. I had turned on the livingroom heater before bed, as I knew I had to get up and out early, and boy I'm glad I did! Heat's off now, but will probably turn it on a bit before bed.
ReplyDeleteThis year I've not put away my summer blanket but left it on my favorite chair. It's been lovely to curl up there with the blanket, and the cat loves it also. She's not sure which is best: to sleep on the bed with me or in the chair with the summer blanket! :)
MaryB
Sorry about heavy frost - ours was a light one. Nothing really hurt. Glad you had the heater for warmth.
DeleteIt is funny how the cats like cozy things. I have that heavy throw on the bed (kind of like sheepskin) and today Bits went in and curled up on it! He has his spots - but picked that one today. Can't say I blame them.
Have a great week.
Right on schedule, our weather broke this weekend and cooler weather is here. On Monday afternoon I found my mailbox and part of the wooden post on the road. I don’t know what happened but the post is full of rot and the aluminum mailbox is very old. I had repaired the door and it had been OK. I always knew this would be a problem because my parents planted an ixora shrub around the mailbox and it is now large. I hacked away at the ixora to expose the mailbox pole but I believe it will be almost impossible to put a new one there.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor who helps me so much is away until the end of the month. Neighbor on the other side who would help me is away until November.
I put my mail on hold until the end of the month. Thankfully I get almost everything by email.
After much research I bought a cheap metal mailbox pole and mailbox that can be inserted into the ground with or without cement. I put it together today. I may try to dig the 12” required and try stabilizing it myself or I may wait for my neighbor or I may call a handyman who is so-so. I do not mind paying for help but kind of want my neighbor’s advice.
It is a nothing in the scheme of things but still on my mind all week. It is SO hard being alone. Barbara M.
Glad you got cooler weather. Sorry about the mailbox and post. Those posts do eventually rot - hopefully you can get a new one put in quickly.
DeleteNice you found something that will work. Be careful if you do that yourself. I have one of those neighbors that helps me too. It sure is nice.
Yes mam, it is tough some days. So many things that we just can't do. I feel fortunate to have good people close by.
Take care and hopefully it gets done sooner than later.
Have a good week.
The cold weather is moving in here, though yesterday was quite nice. I finished pulling the annuals this afternoon, it reached 13C/55F. In the sun with a light jacket, it felt good. Sad to see everything put away but it will be waiting for me in the spring.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got a nice day to work outside. It is always so sad at seasons end, when having to put all the pretty plants and the garden to bed.
DeleteHave a lovely week.
Hi Cheryl what a busy schedule you had this weekend! I also like to write out my meals for the week, it really helps us keep to our grocery budget. Our refrigerator died this morning. My husband has kept it going for 21 years! I am very happy that we got all the use we could out of it. Thankfully we have a secondary freezer and he has a little refrigerator in his workshop that he was able to bring so we didn't lose too much food and at least we can keep the milk cold. Tomorrow we are going to go buy a new one. It will probably take a couple of weeks to deliver but I think we will be able to keep plugging along till then with a little ingenuity. It's going to be a busy week for us. Our weather has gotten cooler too. We are in southern Georgia. It is supposed to get down to 45 tonight. I can't wait, I sure hope so. The cool fresh air coming through the window is absolutely heavenly. I hope you have a nice evening ahead and a wake up to a great day tomorrow! :)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you had your frig give out. That is a big expense now. I am glad you are able to keep going and use what you have, and not lose your food. Good luck shopping for it.
DeleteTwo weeks for delivery - that seems so long. What ever happened to we will deliver the next day?
I do like the cooler crisp air - just not ready for furnaces and winter.
Have a great week.
Hi again Cheryl this is Delisa the quote above that says from "Anonymous" is me, I just forgot to sign in with Google. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Delisa - that is just fine. Thanks for letting me know!
DeleteWe have picked the last of the tomatoes here, too. The plants will be coming out this week. We have been in the 40's overnight but sunny days in the 50s and 60s. Today it's supposed to get almost to 70 degrees and will be warm all week. I'll take it! This morning it's chilly. I put an extra throw on the bed that my grandma made and it's keeping me very warm. I also brought out my warmer slippers. I made 2 soups this week-chicken noodle and Zuppa Toscana. I just felt like soup should be on the menu with the cooler weather. Have a great week! Darcy
ReplyDeleteLOL - I had to chuckle. I put the throw on the bed and got out the slippers as well, and the long pj bottoms! Great minds.
DeleteI will probably pull out plants this week as well - maybe next. It will be low 70's all week and no rain, nights in the 40's. Pretty darn nice.
Your soups sound yummy. I keep thinking about chili.
Have a special week.
Cool weather here, and really not much of a warm up in sight. I will be busy trying to finish garden harvest up. Not wasting anything at all this year. In fact sent lots of herbs home with the sons at Thanksgiving. I hope to finish up the garden processing this week before we head to Kris's. Harvey and Kris will attend a football game and I will get some stocking up for the winter done and perhaps clean a bit more of Kris's house.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Great to not waste a thing. I have pulled everything from the vines as well. It will be used.
DeleteNice that they can have that father/son time. I bet they will have a ball. Being in a different place you have new options when stocking up. How sweet to clean his house some for him.
Donna, I have NO IDEA what type of machine you have, nor what is wrong with it, but I will throw this out there for what it is worth. If it doesn't help you, it might help someone else.
ReplyDeleteI had a Maytag top-loading HE washer that was only about 5 years old. I had various problems and discovered some/many? could be fixed by resetting the machine (like when you turn off your computer and unplug it). I found out how to do this online. Basically, it was a ridiculous combination of unplugging the washer and lifting and closing the lid about 10 times within a certain time frame. (If anyone wants to try this, Google it for exact instructions). Most of the time, it worked!
I eventually had to replace the machine and bought a lower end Speed Queen which is made in the USA and has not given me any trouble. The Maytag was a real disappointment because I had a Maytag for 29 years with no repairs. (The dryer lasted 21 years). We got rid of it only because when we moved, we found it was sitting in a puddle of oil. RIP, old friend.
Thanks for the info - that is good to know
ReplyDeleteCindy (and others) my stove works fine when I turn it on LOL. I would love to have some ideas for cooking for one in the Crock Pot. I get some good ideas from Cheryl's menus (thank you, dear) but sometimes even they seem like too much trouble for just one person. Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteMaxine - any kinds of soups, or pieces of meat with some potatoes and carrots thrown in, or any kind of veggie added. Soup beans. I really do keep things simple, and I have no problem with eating leftovers. Hopefully others can give some other ideas!
ReplyDelete