Tis the Season End

Well, here in the U.S., we are at the end of our gardening season.  It seems many gardens are still giving us produce, but it can't happen for too much longer.
Eventually cold and frost will hit our areas, one by one.

We get to the end of gardening, and we wonder what the heck else can we put up for the winter season. 

Once threat of freeze is here, the green tomatoes have to come off the vines.  Many people wrap them and put them in a dark, cool spot to ripen.
There are a couple other options too.
We absolutely love green tomato relish.  Our family likes it as well, and most of us are totally happy with a spoon and a jar!!!!

Here are a couple other options:

GREEN TOMATO JAM
5 C green tomato (chopped fine)
5 C sugar
1/4 C lemon juice
1 - 6 oz. packet of Jello (what ever flavor you want)
Mix tomatoes, sugar, and lemon juice and boil for 5 minutes.  remove from heat and stir in Jello.
Pour into jelly jars (leave 1/2" headroom) and process in water bath for 5 minutes.
TASTY!


SLICED GREEN TOMATOES
Slice your tomatoes a bit thicker than you would for frying fresh.  Stack/pack in a wide mouth jar (get as many in as possible).  Add 1/2 tsp. salt per quart and 1/2 tsp. citric acid OR 1 Tbsp. lemon juice per jar.
Cover with boiling water and leave 1/2" headroom.  Water bath for 40 minutes.
When ready to fry, drain all liquid.  I also lay tomatoes on paper or towels to absorb as much liquid as possible.
Coat as you would fresh and FRY away!
Such a wonderful treat in the dead of winter!!!!!!!

Extra ripe tomatoes and peppers?  Have you made all the sauce and salsa and stewed tomatoes that you can stand? Remember you can also freeze whole tomatoes in skins to use in canning at a later date.  The peels will fall right off when thawed.
OR try making a batch of Rotel.

Click on recipe to enlarge for easy reading.


KRAUT
5 lbs. cabbage shredded
3 1/2 Tbsp. salt
Mix and let mixture set for 30-60 minutes
Pack into jars - leaving 2" head space.  Fill up to 1/2" with cold water.  Place lids and seals on tightly.
Set someplace in a cool, dark place.  Place on paper or in a place that it can drain when fermenting.
Leave it for 6 - 8 weeks.  Check WEEKLY, and top off with COLD SALT BRINE (1 1/2 Tbsp. salt per quart of water).  I keep extra salt brine in frig for future uses.
Replace flat lids with new, and water bath  (start with cold water in WB).  Process 30 minutes after boil is reached.


ZUCCHINI OVERAGE
Make pickles or relish, just substitute zucchini instead of cucumbers.
Shred and freeze in appropriate measured baggies for sweet bread.
Thinly slice and dehydrate - great for soups.  Add salt or garlic/onion  powder and dehydrate slices for munching.  These make great tasty chip treats.
Cut up in chunks for using in stir fry and freeze.


Too many peppers?
Here you go:

JALAPENO PEPPER JELLY
3 green (or red) bell peppers - minced     Red pepper looks pretty in gifts for holidays!
2 (4 oz.) cans of diced jalapenos drained (or equivalent  of finely chopped fresh)
1 1/2 C distilled white vinegar
6 1/2 C white sugar
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 (6 oz.) liquid pectin
5 drops green food color

In a large stainless steel pot combine peppers, vinegar, sugar and cayenne.  Cook over medium heat.  Stir frequently until mixture begins to boil.
Stir in pectin; boil for 5 minutes longer, stir constantly, then add food color.  Skim foam.
Ladle into hot sterilized jars and process in water bath for 5 minutes.


Look for ways to save (in a cool dark spot) all those winter squash and pumpkins as well.  They will keep for many months when kept cool and dry.  Same with potatoes and sweet potatoes.

There are so many ways to use up the last bounty of fall.  No need to let things go to waste - make it all into something that will be yummy and much appreciated this winter.

Do you have ANY END OF SEASON RECIPES to share?

Happy harvest!

Frugal Happenings 10/1

HAPPY OCTOBER everyone!
The year is officially all down hill from here!  LOL  Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, the time will fly by for sure!
Craft shows will be starting up this month, with lots of fun gift ideas and homemade treasures to buy and see.

The weather has drastically cooled the last half of the week.  Nights are in the 40's and 50's - such good sleeping weather.  AC off and windows open, allowing fresh a plenty in the house.
My allergies are finally starting to get a little better.  It has been a bad allergy season.

We are still enjoying some garden produce.  The volunteer cherry tomatoes plants are giving up tons of little tomatoes (about the size of a quarter).  They sure are good and nice addition to the meals.  They are full of blooms and green tomatoes, so depending on the weather we should have little tomatoes for a while.

Sunflowers - critter planted and Cheryl approved.  We have had lovely sunflowers all summer from the birds and squirrels.

The New England Asters are absolutely covered with blooms.  They are gorgeous.  The butterflies seem to love them.

 

My frugal week:

• Sunday we got Long John Silver's for G's birthday dinner.  The gal at the restaurant gave me a FREE drink since I had to wait for fish to cook.  She also gave us extra fish and hushpuppies for FREE.  I got a boat load of  tartar sauce and catsup packages as well.  She was more than generous!
• Picked a lovely bouquet of N.E. asters
• Picked tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and peppers this week
• Took BIL to the hospital this week for an out patient procedure.  He was to be slightly sedated, so couldn't drive. (he is fine)
• Worked on cleaning up the garage some.  Put many items back into the shed for the winter.
• Placed 5 doz. quart jars in the shed (that we received free last year).  I brought in a couple dozen as well.
• We have FREE HBO and Cinemax over the weekend, so I have been DVRing several movies to watch at some later date
• Have watched a few You Tube videos
• AC has now been off for 5 days - it will be getting warmer again this week - but here's hoping it gets to stay off. 
• Had a friend come over and help G and I both with several projects we needed to get done, and just couldn't accomplish by ourselves.
• Got the whole house generator all checked out for fall and winter - did it ourselves, so no expense
• Ran to Fresh Thyme for some herbal capsules and came across powdered peanut butter!!!!  I got a jar of it and a jar of chocolate flavored powdered peanut butter!  Oh the possibilities!  I can see using it in baking and in smoothies.  Shelf life is very long - great for prepping.
• I stopped by WM to check out different flavors of canned cat food.  I dislike WM - but they carry cat food others don't and have good price on it.  I walked by the clearance rack - and I found 4 jars of sweet and sour purple cabbage and 2 jars of pickled baby onions (G loves) all for a $1 a jar.  Great for the pantry

• Working very hard on organization - especially in the basement.  It is amazing how messy it can get.
• I stopped at the thrift store (across from WM).  I got 2 loaves of wheat bread for FREE (gave to our friend).

 

Meals this week:

Long John's (2X)

Chicken strips, steamed broccoli, slaw & tomatoes

Sausage, eggs, and toast

Pizza casserole

Leftover pizza casserole, bread sticks, and salad

Amish casserole and bread sticks

 

 

There are several things I would like accomplish in the coming week - here's hoping I have the get up and go to do them!

WHAT DID YOU DO TO SAVE MONEY THIS WEEK?  Did you ADD to your PREP or PANTRY?

 

I pray you all have a wonderful month of October, and that it brings you health and happiness.  May you al be able to add to your stockpiles and ready yourself for winter and Christmas.

God bless you all from our home to yours.

 

Up-cycling - Frugal and Fun Ideas

I LOVE to up-cycle things.  I am the queen of "don't throw that away"!
I love trying to make something new out of something old.  Many gifts and home décor projects can be the result of up-cycling.

JEANS - old worn out jeans can be made into all kinds of things.  You can make wine bags from the legs, quilts, pillows, lap throws, purses, pot holders, garden aprons, draft stoppers for your doors,cell phone holders, kitchen aprons, etc..  They can also be cut into strips and made into rag rugs.  There is really no limit to what you make with old jeans.

cell phone holders

OLD SWEATERS - can be made into mittens, stuffed animals and pet beds.  They can also be unwound and the yarn used for a new project.

OLD T-SHIRTS - Can be cut into cute eternity scarves, made into quilts and pillows, pet toys, painting/gardening shirts, etc..  They can also be cut into strips and braided to make rag rugs.
Transform and large t-shirt into a cute and simple skirt.  Simply cut below the sleeves - turn down a hem and add elastic - easy-peasy skirt!!!!!
Cut large t-shirts into children's jammies.

ADULT CLOTHES  - shirts and dresses, etc. can be cut down and remade into children's clothes, doll clothes, or the material used in quilts.

OLD TOWELS - make wash cloths, bibs, placemats, dish towels, stuffed animals, or bath mat.

CARD FRONTS - recycle card fronts to make gift tags, copy parts of old card or glue onto index cards for home made recipe cards, use in kid's art, copy onto paper to make stationary.
Frame into wall art.

OLD PICTURE FRAMES/WINDOWS - make great accent pieces on walls for family gallery.  Paint several frames the same color and use as wall art (they can be empty).  Frame advertisements or postcards for art. 
Add chicken wire or cork board and use for message boards or jewelry holders

Cool old frame with old knobs added - pictures and coat rack all in one.  Old door knobs would look cool too.

INCOMPLETE PUZZLES OR GAMES - use puzzles pieces or game pieces (like Yahtzee) and glue on picture frames.  Puzzle pieces can be left as is - or painted a solid color.  Makes for a unique picture frame.

FAMILY PICTURES - copy on paper and decopauge onto lamp shades, bottles, jars, etc.  You can add sand and tea light candles to jars to light pictures.  Family pictures can also be copied onto transfer paper and ironed onto fabric - for a very personal  pillow or quilt.
Make cards or postcards from old pictures.

VINTAGE LINENS - use old linens that have some stains or rips and re-invent them into quilts, pillow, valances, table runners, aprons,  even clothing.

Pretty little vest that I was gifted years ago.  All kinds of vintage linens incorporated onto it.

ROCKS - this is the newest fad.  Paint smooth rocks into animals, or paint sayings or pictures.  Can be left at random places for someone to find, can be incorporated into flowers beds or flower pots, can make framed pictures from them, make into magnets or paper weights, etc..

OLD DOOR KNOBS OR HARDWARE - look cool made into coat/clothing racks, added as accents, curtain tie backs etc.

SHEET MUSIC OR OLD BOOKS that are beyond salvage - can be copied into stationary, framed, made into cards, etc.
The same can be done with CHILDREN'S ART.


There is just no end to the things that can be up-cycled. 
We all use normal household items in different ways.  Keeping containers to give leftovers away, using jars and such for storage, foil covered eat trays for candy/sweets gifting, etc.

This might give you a few ideas of things you can do around your home to save a few dollars OR gifts that you can make for Christmas, that won't break the bank.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE UP-CYCLE PROJECT?



 

The Time of Our Lives

I feel totally comfortable saying that myself and many people I know, just aren't happy with the times we live in.  Everything has changed, and I don't necessarily think that is a good thing.
I know the change of the seasons has been bothering me and my moods lately, but the I think the state of affairs and the social climate of the world has a lot to do with it as well.

I want to GO BACK IN TIME!!!!!  I don't want to be a kid again or even back to my early life - as I wouldn't be who I am today.  I just want to go back to a time when all 'seemed right' with the world.  I wish as an adult I could time travel.
I know people worked hard back in the day - but ideas were simpler.

I am so sick of all the complaining and hate.  I am sick of all the feelings of entitlement.  I am sick of  no one taking responsibility for their own actions.  I am sick of all the ME - ME attitudes.  I am sick of all the electronics of the world.  I am sick of people today being blamed for the past.  I am sick of disrespect on so many levels.  I am sick of all the political correctness IN ALL WE DO AND SAY.  I am sick of entertainers and sports people thinking we care about their political views - YOUR JOB is to entertain us! 
It makes me sad that we have turned our backs on patriotism, country, and God.
It breaks my heart to think what the youngsters in my family will have to deal with as they get older (if they even get that opportunity).

Click on picture to enlarge
Read this carefully - do you remember this time?  I was little in the fifties, but this was so our life.  I realize this is talking about food - but everything has changed.


Our phones were party lines - shared with another family (at first).  Then it was a rotary dial - you answered  NOT knowing who was on the other end!!!  Imagine that.
We colored with a color book and crayons - not on a computer.
We played board games, hopscotch, Jacks, and 'house' (it wasn't a bad thing then). 
We could create anything with a cardboard box and a little imagination.
We ate bologna sandwiches or PBJ's with Kool-aid on the front porch at lunch - and called it a picnic.
We grew gardens and cooked from scratch.
Family was always there for each other.
Neighbors were friendly and worked together to better the neighborhood, and help each other.
Parents weren't afraid to let kids play outside (out of sight).  Little did we know that all the neighbors were keeping an eye on us.
We wrote letters and thank you cards.
We walked to school.
We read 'actual' books.
We had Christmas programs and Bible classes (off site).  If you didn't want to participate you didn't have too - the programs still happened for those who wanted to participate.
We said the Pledge every morning before school
We watched the Road Runner, Popeye, and Foghorn Leghorn cartoons - and we weren't damaged by the violence!
No one in grade school had heard of sexual harassment
There was no nudity or cussing on TV (of course we had 3 channels)!
There were no seat belts, we rode in back of pickup trucks, and drank from hoses.
Boys looked like boys and girls looked like girls. 
Words meant what they meant - not something new that someone made up!!
We worked hard for what we had and earned the extras.

OK, I could go on and on and on.  You ALL know what I mean. 
This total social climate we are in depresses me to no end.
I just want to live my life in peace, and not be bombarded with sex, cussing, and PC crap.
I WANT SIMPLE BACK!

I guess this is probably why I like the folks I meet on the blog (and some other ones), because we try to be prepared for hard times, we help one another, we work hard for what we have, and we learn from one another, we help others, we have respect, we pray for each other - we have good wholesome values.
THANK YOU - you all help me keep my sanity in this crazy, stupid, wicked world!!!!!!!!!

Blessings from me to you.

Frugal Happenings 9/24

Good morning to everyone.  Hope you are all well and happy.
We are still (enjoying) summer weather in our area.  It has been in the 90's the last few days and very humid.  That is supposed to come to an end mid week, and we are to get back to more seasonable temperatures.  I am not sure to if I want to be happy or sad.  I hate the extreme heat, but I also know winter comes right behind fall.  I really do not like cold and ice!

Today is G's 62nd birthday.  He catches up to me for a month or so!  LOL  I figured he would want dinner from the Outback, but he has decided he wants his special dinner to be Long John Silvers!  We haven't had that for probably a good two years - so I guess it is worth the splurge.

The garden is still producing, which is wonderful.  We have been utilizing fresh veggies a lot.  Things are slowing down, but I think we still have a few weeks of goodies left out there.

My frugal week:

• Used the crockpot to make a big batch of Mexican chicken
• Harvesting broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, and cukes
• Been picking lots of cherry tomatoes from ALL the volunteer plants that have popped up all over.  I have 5 plants that have come up in the past couple months and have gotten huge

One of the volunteer plants - it is about thigh high and covers about 4' in width!  That's just one!!

• Made a run to the feed store and got a 2 months supply of squirrel/bird feed
• Froze extra Mex. chicken for a later meal
• Mowed the yard.  Had to, even with the heat.  I think I probably sweated off a couple pounds and got rid of lots of toxins!
• Line dried laundry
• Had to pick up G's meds at WM.  I never shop there, but I walked into the freezer section while waiting (right next to pharmacy).  I did purchase 8 cans (all they had) of orange juice concentrate for 1.23 a can.  I have read that orange crop got seriously damaged in the hurricane, so prices will be going up.
• Went to a yard sale across the street on Friday.  I got a 28 qt. tote (no lid), a 32 qt. tote w/lid, a half gallon Brita filter pitcher, and a brand new Cuisinart grilled sandwich maker ALL for $5!!!!!  I dropped my 30+ year old sandwich maker a couple months ago and broke it - so a great find there.
• Worked on organizing more of the downstairs pantry.  Also worked on getting all holiday gifts together - to see what I actually had.  Trying to get more organized.
• Just working on fall cleaning

Meals this week:
Breaded pork burgers, red beans & rice (Aldi box), sliced tomatoes
Mexican chicken served over rice
Salad topped Mex. chicken burritos
Finger foods - summer sausage/cheese & crackers, garden fresh veggies and dip
Fried chicken and salad
Smoked sausage, steamed broccoli and tomatoes
Cheeseburgers, fried potatoes and tomatoes
Snacks - peach pie, ice cream

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?  DID YOU GET ANY FRUGAL DEALS?

I hope you all have a wonderful upcoming week.  I wish you all health, happiness and a frugal life.
May the Lord help us all be content and happy with what we have, and to feel blessed.
God bless you all.

Fun Fall Recipes & Ideas

Tomorrow is the official start of fall here in the U.S. 
You would never know it, in my neck of the woods!  It is hot and humid, and will be for at least the next week.  We are reaching 90*  and the humidity is thick! 
Yesterday morning when I went out to feed the kitties, dew was actually dripping from the trees!!  That is something I have never seen before. 

I am sure there are places that are actually feeling like fall - and please note - I am NOT complaining.  It will be here quick enough and then winter will be at it's coat tails.  ICK!

There are certain things that just remind all of us that fall IS a lovely time of the year.  There are special smells, crisp air, beautiful colors, and there is even a different sound in the air.
We all have different foods that we fix and enjoy once the weather gets cooler.
Soups, stews, casseroles, baked goods, apples, pumpkins,  cider, and just about any comfort food.

Today I am going to list a couple fun recipes, mostly using what we would have on hand, that just scream fall in my opinion!


MOM'S SLOPPY JOES
1 lb. ground beef (or turkey)
1/2 C onion, chopped
1/2 C celery, thinly sliced
1 1/2 C catsup
1/4 C brown sugar - packed
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp. prepared mustard
salt & pepper to taste

Brown your ground meat along with the onion and celery.  Drain and set aside.  Mix the remaining ingredients, and add to beef mixture.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until thoroughly warmed.  Serve on sandwich buns.
There's nothing like a good sloppy Joe and chips or home fries on a cool winter's evening to me.


HAM AND CHEESE CUPS
2 C self-rising flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C mayonnaise
1 C milk
1/2 C cooked ham (I would think you could use pork, beef, chicken whatever you have)
1/2 C shredded cheese
Combine flour and baking soda, set aside.  Mix remaining ingredients together, and add to flour mixture.  Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full.  Bake at 425* for 16 - 18 minutes.  Makes about 12.
These are yummy for a quick breakfast, lunch, after school snack, or even with sides for dinner.  These would also be great on a buffet!


CHOCOLATE GRAVY
3/4 C water
1 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C sugar
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. cocoa
Place water, butter and vanilla in a saucepan; bring to a boil.  Remove from heat; set aside.  Combine remaining ingredients together, and slowly whisk into the water mixture until thickened.  Serve warm.  Makes about one cup.
If you have never tried this - you are missing out!!!  It is a southern 'thing' here.
Drizzle over hot biscuits, pancakes, or waffles on a cold morning and all will be right with the world!!!

I am NOT a fan of eating pumpkin at all - but I DO love the scents that contain the fall 'pumpkiny' smell.  This is an easy-peasy, non-chemical air freshener to make your home smell lovely.
You can adjust it how ever you choose.  It is mainly things we probably all have on hand.

Here's a fun and easy craft project as well.  Use a nail and hammer and 'punch' faces into coffee tins or other tin cans and spray paint.  Add sand or gravel to the bottom - then add a votive candle.  No money crafts are fun.

I hope you can try and enjoy a couple of these.  I love having easy recipes that contain NO special ingredients that I have to go out and buy.  I can fix them whenever I want - ingredients all from the pantry/freezer.  Got to love no-spend meals!!!
ENJOY

Equivalency Fun Facts - for your kitchen

We all look for new hacks and ideas for our cooking from scratch kitchens.
There are so many little things that I constantly wonder about and question - as in "how many does it take?" - "how much do I need?", etc.
I imagine we all have those moments.

Today I will give you a few of the most  popular measurements.  I have this printed out and taped inside my cabinet door for easy access!

Dash - less than 1/8 tsp.
3 tsp. = 1 Tbsp.
4 Tbsp. = 1/4 C
1 stick of butter = 1/4 lb. = 1/2 C = 8 Tbsp.
1 jumbo egg = 2 medium

Beans 1 lb. dried = approx. 2 - 2 1/2 C (depends on bean size)
Bell peppers, 1 large = 1 C chopped
Cheese (hard) 1 lb. shredded = 4 C
Cottage cheese 1 lb. = 2 C
Crackers - 20 single standard crackers = 1 C crumbs
Herbs, 1 Tbsp. fresh = 1 tsp. dried

Lemon, 1 med. size = 2-3 Tbsp. juice (heat lemon 10 seconds in microwave to get most juice)
Lemon, 1 med. size = 2-3 tsp. grated zest

Mustard, 1 Tbsp. prepared = 1 tsp. dry
Oatmeal 1 lb. dry = about 5 C dry
Onion 1 med. = 1/2 C chopped

Pasta - smaller tubal types, 1 lb. = 4 C uncooked
Noodles 1 lb. dry = 6 C uncooked
Spaghetti (all long pasta) 1 lb. = 4 C uncooked

Potatoes - white and sweet - 1 lb. - 3 med sized = 2 C mashed
Rice 1 lb. dry = 2 C uncooked
Whipping cream - 1 C un-whipped = 2 C whipped
Yeast, dry, 1 envelope (1/4 oz.) = 1 Tbsp. bulk

SUBSTITUTIONS
1 C sour milk or buttermilk - use 1 C plain yogurt OR 1 Tbsp. vinegar or lemon juice in a 1 C measure and top to 1 C with milk.  Let it sit 5 minutes before using.

1 garlic clove - use 1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms - use 1 - 6 oz. can, drained

1 Tbsp. tomato paste - use 1 Tbsp. ketchup

1 Tbsp. vinegar - use 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 C heavy cream - add 1/3 C melted butter to 3/4 C milk - (works for cooking, baking NOT whipping)

1/2 C wine (for cooking) - pour 2 Tbsp. wine vinegar into a 1/2 C measure - and finish filling with broth.  Stir and let it set 5 minutes.  Stir again before using.

1 Tbsp. cornstarch - use 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour

2 Tbsp. Tapioca - use 3 Tbsp. all purpose flour

cooking oil when baking - replace part with either applesauce or yogurt to decrease oil content

*     *     *     *     *     *      *     *     *     *     *     *

There are so many ways to use what you have on hand when cooking.  No need to make a special run to the store for one or two ingredients (we all know that never works!).
TRY YOUR BEST to keep  all BASIC ingredients on hand in your pantry.
Learn to improvise - I hardly ever follow a recipe as written!  I am always changing things up.

Read your recipes from beginning to end - before ever starting it.  You don't want to over look a very important instruction, and you can also make sure you have everything needed - whether as written or substitutes.

Cooking really is fun.   Don't make it feel like a chore.  Experiment and have fun.


DO YOU HAVE ANY GREAT TIPS TO SHARE?