Spring Rebirth

Yesterday I was feeling pretty low - so me and my camera took a walk-about the property.  It was so sunny at that time, that many of the pics came out too bright.
I just thought I would post a few pictures of the rebirth of our yard.

Got mint?  Boy we do!!!!!!

Chives setting blooms.

Trees leafing out

Squirrel lounging and having a picnic on the front porch!

Ever blooming honeysuckle starting to bloom.
I wish the pictures of the grape arbor had turned out - you can see tiny bunches of grapes, the raspberries are setting blooms/berries, the roses are covered with buds, and the peonies look about to pop.

I love spring and the great rebirth that comes with it.  God sure is awesome.



P.S.  Saw my brother today - he knew me, and wouldn't hardly let go of my hand.  I sure hope he improves - it's a long journey.  Thank you again for all your prayers and thoughts.
I told him lots of people were praying, some as far as half way around the world - and he squeezed my hand!

Blessings and peace.

PRAYERS

Todays post has nothing to do with being frugal.  It is personal.  I try not to get too personal on here, but my family could use every prayer we can get.

My oldest brother Ron had a massive stroke this morning.  They can't fix the blockage, as he is too fragile at the moment, so that  just means the problem will get worse.  They say the odds of having another are great.  His right side is paralyzed and he can't speak.  Not sure if he even knows anyone.
Please say a prayer for him.

If you knew my brother, you'd know this would be an awful situation for him.  He talks and talks and talks, never meeting  a stranger.  He is extremely social and loves to have fun and get with family and friends.
He would never want to be like this.

We are praying for God's mercies upon him - whatever that may be.
I LOVE YOU RON.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Frugal Happenings 4/24

Good morning my friends!  I hope this finds each of you happy and well.
I hope that some of you got to take advantage of the FREE National park admission this week, or perhaps got to do something fun and useful for Earth day.
Make sure you check out Fridge Foods site I listed.  It is fun.  I have found all kinds of recipes that I would never have thought of.

We have had decent weather this week.  Highs ranged from 80* to 60*.   I have officially declared it time for flip flops!!!!
I did put out one hummingbird feeder, just in case we have some early birds.  It will probably be a few weeks before we actually have regulars.
I have been noticing that we have quite a variety and abundance of bees this year. YAY!!!

My front walk waiting for annuals to be planted in pots!  It won't be long.


I found out, that I have another very distant relative that is famous this week.  After watching Who Do You Think You Are? last Sunday, it is official that Katey Sagal (Peg Bundy) is a distant cousin.  The story they showed of her distant Amish relative, mirrors my story.  Her 7X great grandfather is also my 7X great grandfather.  The line splits at his children, but I thought that was kind of cool.
I also have a cousin by the name of  President Ronald Reagan!!

How was your frugal week?  Mine has been quiet.

• I kept the wax paper bag from cereal to use later
• Did a ton more, weeding, spraying (vinegar and salt), trimming, and various other yard work
• Hung laundry outside
• NO heat or AC this week.
• G and I worked on spring clean of garage.  Got the rain barrels set up.
• We did some maintenance on both vehicles
• I only bought milk and bread this week.  Shopped the basement for other food.
• All meals from home and scratch
• Did some much needed mending
• While in the shed I came to realize that I have a ton of clay and plastic pots of all sizes.  Most were either free or cost me pennies - many are brand new.  I MAY use a few as goodie containers this Christmas, as something different.

***************************************************************************
I still haven't caught that darned groundhog.  I did catch and release a couple squirrels and one kitty!  I think I have a new plan that I am going to implement today - so say a little prayer that it works for me.  I need that pesty varmint GONE!!!!!!

This week our dinners were fairly simple.  We had loaded baked potatoes, ham with fried cabbage and mac - n - cheese, breakfast, grilled ham & cheese sandwiches with salad, fried Spam, mashed pots & green beans, fried chicken and potato salad, and a Shepherds pie made with leftovers added to a few new ingredients.   I made pudding with fruit added (my banana split pudding).
I think I will be using the grill for tonight's dinner!

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?
May your lives be blessed beyond measure this coming week.
God bless and take care.

Recipes for What's on Hand

I came across this site the other day when reading some posts on FB.
This is the coolest site.   You click on the list provided of the food you have access to, and it gives you pages and pages of recipes using those ingredients!

I clicked on a partial list of what I have and I was amazed.  There were so many recipes for great sounding meat, appetizers, baking, soups, crackers, homemade Wonton wrappers.......you name it.
There were recipes for things I would never have thought of, and recipes for things I had never heard of.
I can't imagine what I will find when I list all the ingredients that I have.

You just have to try it out.
http://www.myfridgefood.com/

I am going to be using this application A LOT for trying new and imaginative recipes.
Hope you all enjoy it!

Earth Day

Friday, April 22nd, is the official Earth Day this year.
Do you or your community have any special plans for the day or for the weekend?

Last weekend there was a lot of activity in our city, with trash (pick-up) walks, and tree give-aways.
I am sure there will be plenty of activities this coming weekend as well.

I try to live my life, celebrating earth day EVERYDAY!  I believe in recycling, re-using, re-inventing, gardening, foraging, bartering, etc.
I hope to leave a VERY small footprint on this land.  Trust me, I need to make up for my past.  I wasn't always so concerned.  I used to be a big consumer - not so much anymore.

If we each live our lives in caring and concerned way for this earth and what we are leaving future generations, we will be doing a good thing.

What do you do special?  What do you do to take care of this earth?  Please share your ideas - so we can all learn something new.

OUR PLANET - OUR HOME

FREE Fun

Anyone who lives close to, or may be visiting an area where there is a national park this week - heads up!
Admission is FREE until April 24, 2016 at ALL national parks.

This would be an awesome time to go.
It would make a fantastic and FRUGAL family trip!

Enjoy some nature.

Frugal Happenings 4/17

Happy beautiful Sunday to you all!!!
Oh my, the weather is just delightful in our neck of the woods.  I do believe spring/summer has arrived!  We are to hit 80* today with blue skies all day.
Slept with the bedroom windows open last night, ceiling fan on, and only a sheet covering me.  WOOHOO!

**I found out this week that there will be a Farmer's Market at the park up the street from us on Saturdays starting in May.  Never had one that close before.
**Got the dreaded taxes mailed this past week.  Then we got the property tax bill in the mail!  It's always something.
**Allergies have really flared up this week.  I am trying to use herbal 'meds' on them - but it doesn't seem to help much.  Will probably go back to regular allergy meds.

I kind of thought the groundhog moved on to greener pastures.  Saw it on April 1, then we had 'possum fest' and figured he must of thought it was getting crowed around here!  Well, on the 15th, there it was in the yard again.  I have a live trap set, so hopefully I can get the bugger!

My frugal week;

• I trash picked this week.  I got an expandable plastic baby gate (may use for a trellis), and an approximately 3' x 8' piece of chicken wire.
• I stopped at Hancock Fabrics going out of business sale and got the last bottle of Liquid Stitch they had for 5.99 (reg. 14.99).  Not much left there.
• Across the street to Fresh Thyme and got fresh salad veggies and seedless grapes (only groceries I bought)
• Hung laundry out on the line for the first time this season!!!!  YAY
• No heat - windows open
• Did lots of yard work - mowing, weeding, working on flower beds, etc.  FREE exercise!
• Washing windows and doors with homemade window cleaner
• Made homemade cookies and a cheese ball for snacks
• We did splurge and order Chinese takeout this week - but we got 2 meals each from it

I have been doing a lot of yard work and house cleaning.  Still working on de-cluttering off and on.  Oh, there is so much that needs to go.  Seems the work NEVER ends!

Meals this week were simple.  I made chili-mac (like Steak & Shake), and used the leftovers of that the next day to make a casserole (adding peppers and cheese).  We did have Chinese for 2 meals.  There was homemade pizza and salad night, taco salad night, and chef salad with crispy chicken strips night.

WHAT DID YOU DO FRUGAL THIS WEEK?

May you all have a lovely and healthy week.  God's blessings be upon you.
Take care friends.