Weekly Wrap-Up 9/8

Good morning.  Hope this finds you all well.
We have been having some cooler weather this week, but that is coming to an end for the upcoming week.  We will be back to close to 90* this week and some rain.  It seems that summer doesn't want to give up the fight.
The daylight hours just keep getting shorter and shorter.  UGH!  Supposedly we lose over another hour of daylight this month.

It appears the hummingbirds are getting ready to move on.  The activity has dropped markedly.  I am now down to 2 birds.  So sad to see them go.
The darn racoons have been around a lot.  They are cute - but I don't want them around.  I took down all the corn that was growing (squirrel planted) and harvested it (for squirrels).  The racoons  just keep showing up to feast on it.  I put the stalks and immature corn out by the alley - they can have at it out there.  I just don't want them in the yard!  I don't trust them.

All things are still green, although I do see bits of color starting here and there in the trees.  I am still harvesting a few tomatoes, and my brothers garden is going gangbusters.

My week:

• My brother gave me a nice big bunch of fresh green beans (3 lbs.) and cherry tomatoes.  
• I gave my SIL a big bag of paperback books
• Cooked all the beans up.  Shared some with my neighbor and ate on them a couple times.  Remainder went into the freezer for another day
• I froze leftover baked beans
• Did some fall decorating  - doors and porch (with things I already had)
• Mowed and did a bunch of yard work.
• Picked several tomatoes
• Cleaning and re-arranging  a bit - there is always so much to do
• I ended up with 400 gas points for Aug. from Kroger.  That is .40 off per gallon of gas this month.  I did not spend that much.  I got 200 points free for doing 4 surveys and our local stores had coupons to double points each visit on certain days.  
• I ran to the church thrift store to look around.  I received FREE bread and bagels and got a new sweater for .99 (still had a partial tag on it).

This will look cute over a colored lightweight top

• I tried going to the area Goodwill again - I truly don't know why I try.  So stinking expensive for thrift.  Seemed like a lot of junk.  Bought nothing at all.
• I received from family - 2 books, some thread, and a ceramic lighted Christmas tree (that I made years ago).  One book was a hard copy of Complete Tightwad Gazette, the other was a book of hints and tips.
• Did lots more paperwork
• All normal things - drinking water, meals from scratch, AC off when possible, minimal lights, staying home a lot, etc.

Meals this past week:

Big salad of fresh garden veggie chunks (no lettuce) served with Ranch (meatless day)

Dbl. cheeseburger and baked beans

Chicken tenders and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers

Green beans, sliced tomatoes, and grilled ham & cheese sandwich

Fried smashed potatoes, green beans and sliced tomatoes (meatless day)

Cheesy/spicy zucchini and hominy skillet and chicken

Leftover beans, cheesy zuc./hominy, and sliced tomatoes (meatless day)

Zucchini/hominy - I sliced a zucchini, added a bit of onion, and a small drained can of hominy.  Sautee till tender, added about 1/4 jar of homemade spicy salsa and topped with shredded cheese.  Oh my this good.

Fried smashed potato - Microwaved one medium potato - cut in half lengthwise (when cooled a bit) and placed (cut side down) in a pan with a little oil.  Smash down with egg turner.  Fry each side until golden.  Yum.  Tastes like a thick fried potato - crunchy outside - soft inside.

How was your week?  Did you get any deals?  How are your gardens doing?  Are you harvesting  - canning - freezing?

I hope you all have a great new week.  May you and your families be healthy and safe.  Prayers for healing for all those that need it.

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

No Failure in Trying

I had a whole different post ready to go and got to thinking about so many things I have read and heard in the past few days (and feeling). I decided to go a different direction today.  Just wanted to add a few words of encouragement.

We have all had HUGE setbacks in life.  It is a given if you live and breath.

Marriages that didn't work
Excess silly spending and major debt
Unexpected disasters and major debt
Loss of jobs
Health issues
Not being prepared
So many bad decisions and habits
Over extending our time and self
Not accomplishing goals in YOUR timeframe
Death
There are soooooo many reason for things going south and that huge feeling of defeat.

Life  happens and we are mortal people who make mistakes and make bad judgements sometimes.  That is normal.
I do believe WE are our own worst enemies.  WE get in our way of having the best life possible.  WE expect more of ourselves than anyone else could possibly expect.  WE create the chaos in our lives.

We all need learn to realize that s**t happens and it always will.  We need to learn to relinquish a bit of control and just LIVE.  It is funny how we think we have this total control of our lives.  Yes, we do have some (in our decisions) - but for the most part God has this.  You may not call it God - you may have another name - but we all seem to believe that there is something much greater than ourselves that is in control - and that is true!  HAVE NO DOUBT!!!

So ease up on yourself a little and understand you can't FIX everything and especially in a short period of time.  You only have so much control - the rest is out of your hands.  GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK!  (I truly need to work on this point).

Setbacks happen.  Make your plans and try to go forward as best you can, but know there will be stumbling blocks along the way.  There will be setbacks.  It is a natural part of life.  It happens to everyone.
NOTICE I did not say failures.
I don't like that word at all.

I think there are NO failures as long as you DON'T give up and as long as you AT LEAST try.
If you never try - then you have failed yourself and maybe others.
If you totally give up - then you have failed in that situation - never quit trying.

I was convinced this was my post today when I read the morning paper and saw the daily prayer.

"O God, bless all who are trying to improve their lives.  As they work to transcend past mistakes and present habits, grant them success.  Amen"

IF YOU ARE TRYING AND DO NOT STOP - YOU ARE BEING SUCCESSFUL
Blessings my friends.

Boredom, Wal-Mart and Holidays

What do these three things have in common?  ME!
I was so bored on Labor Day - I had all kinds of things accomplished and it was 11:30 AM.  I got to feeling lonely, feeling sorry for myself and just plain bored (goodness knows I have things to do) - so what is a girl to do?
Go to the Wal-Mart Family Market up the road.  It is basically just a grocery store - not a lot of other stuff like the regular Wal-Mart.

My reason was I wanted something to do, it was the closest store, and I forgot orange juice!!!!  LOL
So here I go and I just meander throughout the entire store.  You know I don't really like WM - but it's close by (and I used one of the 2 full service registers).
They have been remodeling the store and of course everything is in a new spot!  SIGH!
They have a method to their madness - you have to walk every aisle to find what you want - therefore you see more and buy more.

IT WORKED!

I get really aggravated when you get used to the stores then they change them up.  Lots of aggravated people were roaming the aisles.
BUT, they did do a few good moves.  Some things now just make more sense where they are.  I never really understood why some things were where they were before.
So yes, I saw a couple things that I didn't KNOW I needed and I bought.

Now comes the holiday part.  I am planning on making several jar recipes for my goody bags this year.  Many will be dry soup mixes.  I always have a supply of ham flavored dry bouillon, as we found an outlet for that years ago.  I however, have a hard time finding chicken and beef in larger container for a reasonable price.  Most I have found are cubes or it is the paste type that needs refrigerated after opening.

The Goya products I have purchased and keep on hand all the time.  It contains small packets of chicken bouillon  which works great for adding just a bit of flavor.  They usually run around a $1 or so a box.

Yesterday I found the Maggi chicken bouillon for $2.74 for a 15.9 ounce jar.  I also got the Knorr beef bouillon for 1.98 per 7.9 ounce jar.  I got 2 of those.  (These are all on the Hispanic food aisle).

With the ham seasoning I have and these two and the homemade tomato powder I have - I am set for flavoring different types of soup mixes.

I generally have tons of rice, different types of dry beans and lots of pasta on hand as well as herbs and other seasonings (dry onion, garlic etc.).  I may need to get a bag or two of dry noodles - but I think I am ready for about any type of soup mix I want to put together.

NOW is the time to start getting prepared for these types of goodies.

I can make them up for gifts for the baskets, for those unexpected folks that might drop by, or just for myself.

I want to be ready ahead of time.

So YES, boredom can lead to shopping and that can lead to being more prepared.  Just don't over do it!

Start thinking ahead of what homemade gifts you might want to do. 

I will slowly be posting recipes for lots of fun jar recipes over the next little while.

PS - I did get the OJ too!

Weekly Wrap Up 9/1

Well, well, well here is September.  Happy Spring to those in the southern hemisphere, and happy -'unofficial' fall to my northern friends.  It seems that Labor Day here in the U.S. is kind of considered the last hoorah for summer.  Fall will be here in a few short weeks.

Weather has been all over the place this week.  Hot, cool, chilly, rain, storms, dry and sun, humid and wonderful!

The mosquitos are horrid.  I look like I am bundled for winter when I go out back in the evening.  They just attack like crazy!  UGH

All the birds (every type) are going crazy eating up everything in sight.  I have had a racoon in the yard this week (not happy about that - it was big), opossums and the ground hog was seen the first of the week.   Squirrels and birds of course and butterflies every where.  Hummies are still drinking away too.  Spiders and spider webs are every where you step!!!  My goodness you have to really be aware of the webs.   It is a regular Eden out there!

Kind of a quiet week.

• I went to my sisters last Sunday for a sibling dinner.  That was super nice
• She sent leftovers home with me!
• I got around to cutting the 2nd cantaloupe I bought last week.  Yum, just as good as the first
• Cleaned under the frig!!!!    Aaaaackkk - what a furry, dusty mess!  Me, the vacuum hose and a yardstick and rag.  Nothing like laying on your belly and trying to see under it!  At least I had a good flashlight!
• Had enough rain, that I didn't have to water anything.
• Used all leftovers I had in new ways.
• Mowed and managed to get a ton of yardwork done on decent days!  So much more to do
• Ran to Kroger  and got the weekend special of American cheese for 1.49 pack.  I got 3 as that will last me ages.  I also bought 3 packs of Eckrich thick cut bologna for $1 each.  I know - but I like it.  That is all I got there.
• Went to Aldi - haven't been in ages.  Found that the few things I wanted actually went down in price.  YAY!  
• Picked a few tomatoes and a couple peppers
• Doing all the normal stuff
• Got all the grapes picked and in freezer till this week (for jelly)
• Have managed to have AC off for a few days this week and windows open

Meals this week:

Dinner at sisters

Fried chicken breast, 2 biscuits and gravy, and sliced tomato (most from sis)

Steak burger and sliced tomato and cucumber and hard boiled eggs (eggs from sis)

Refried bean/salsa/cheese quesadilla

Fresh veggie chunks with ranch dressing and cheese slices

Small homemade meaty-spicy pizza 

Tostadas (mixed pizza topping and leftover refried beans) over cheese w/salsa (birds & squirrels got the crust from extra pizza)

Have eaten a lot of cantaloupe this week!  SO fresh and juicy.

*If you can't tell - I like anything that is in some way Mexican!!!  I could eat Mexican food everyday!

So as you can tell - it has been quiet here.  I just plod away day by day - doing what needs to be done.  I need to get back to doing more than JUST enough.  The holidays are coming up and I need to get busy doing some canning (for my baskets), making up jar mixes and possibly some crafts and sewing.  I hope I get the oomph I need to get it done.  It may even bring me some joy - just getting back to it!!!!  I will think about the smiles the goodies I make will bring!

How was your week?  Did you take advantage of any good deals?  How are the gardens doing?

I hope you all have a great Labor Day and time with family and friends.

May you all stay safe and healthy and frugal this coming week.  Enjoy each and every day the Lord puts in front of you.

Blessings from my humble little home to yours!

Good Sales Weekend

Those of us in U.S. will be celebrating Labor Day this weekend.  For many, holidays mean cookouts and family/work get togethers.  Lots of picnic foods are on sale at great prices this weekend.
Summer is coming to a close and other outlets are gearing up for winter.
Summer clothes are on clearance, yard tools and pretties, and also things to get the yard ready for fall and winter.
Now is the time to buy mulch and landscaping items - mums are going to be every where soon.
Also think about orchards for fall apples and cider - those are starting to happen.
Fall festivals will commence after this weekend - which means great farm markets and lots and lots of unusual items that can be purchased for gifts (or gift getting ideas you can make!).

Items to look for:

Hotdogs, ground beef, chicken, steaks

Condiments

Soda pop

Cheese

Alcohol if you so choose
Chips and dips
Crackers - flavored and assorted
BBQ sauces
Charcoal and grilling items
Summer fruits - watermelon, other melons (surprising strawberries are pretty cheap here too), peaches and pears
Ice cream
Bread and buns
Canned beans, pickles, relish
Water
Late season produce - corn, summer squash, tomatoes

There are just so many places that are having sales.  Even furniture places are having some great deals around here.
Take time to restock - whether it be your pantry or your yard/garden supplies or clothes.
This is probably the last big HURAAH until around Thanksgiving.

DON'T FORGET - many places are getting to the near end of yard sale season too.  I well imagine there will be plenty through September - but that is also an option for great deals and savings and a lot of fun.

LOOK, SHOP AND SAVE!

My Arby Hack

I well imagine if you have seen an add on TV or the computer or the paper - you have seen the new Arby sandwiches.  The Hawaiian roll sandwiches. Yes indeed they look yummy and they do appear to rather inexpensive.  Or are they?
You can make the same thing at home and for a whole lot less money!  They are super easy to do as well.

I have checked out sale prices of Hawaiian rolls at Kroger - and have recently found them for 2.99/12 pack.  That works out to about .25 each.

Now think about what you have at home.  Pulled pork or BBQ pork, shredded Mexican or BBQ chicken, chicken fillets, NO MORE than a slice or two of deli ham or turkey or roast beef (to be like theirs), leftover ham or turkey, mini burgers...………………. There is no end to the type of yummy roll you can make.  They offer only 3 kinds!!!!!

The rolls will probably be even cheaper around Thanksgiving and Christmas - so stock up (freeze) and make your own 'sliders' at home any day of the week.  You also know what goes on in your kitchen, unlike the environments of the restaurants.

ENJOY!

I just noticed Aldi ad this week has the rolls for 1.39/pack!!!  WOOHOO

Now is the Time to Plan for Holidays

I know, I know!  We are just now approaching the "unofficial" end of summer here in the U.S. and spring in the southern hemisphere.  Now is the time to start planning - especially if finances are an issue.
All of us frugal gals know that we watch our pennies, and plan ahead.  We make gifts, we raise extra money, we shop sales, we look at clearance, YES we plan ahead.
We have had a lot of new readers here - so maybe we need to give a few ideas on how to have a wonderful gift holiday and save money.
Holidays seem to be a lot of people's downfall.  They think it is a time to blow the budget, go into debt, and buy, buy, buy!
Tell me how it makes sense to spend a ton of money for one day (on things no one NEEDS) and then spend the next several months paying for it and all the interest!  It makes NO sense.  DON'T do it.

Keep it simple.  The day should not be about gifts.  If you are a spiritual person - you know the religious reasons for the season, and that is the most important.  It should also be about families celebrating being together - NOT the abundance of gifts.  A nice meal and time spent together.

IF you are doing gifts - get creative.  Many of us believe homemade is the best.  One of a kind, no duplicates, and hopefully less money spent!

• Gardens are going now - think about canning specialty products to give.  Special sauces, jams, jellies, salsa, spaghetti sauce, soups, etc.  Shred and put up zucchini and other items for baking sweet breads. These are items that are yummy, unique and appreciated.
• Start putting together dry mixes.  It can be jars with brownie mix, hot chocolate mixes, cookie mixes, soups, specialty tea mixes, coffee mixes, mixed beans, etc.  There is no limit to the types of goodies that you can fit into a jar.  Just Google jar mixes and find TONS of ideas.

 Jar recipes are a major hit in my gift baskets that I give.  Everyone loves have a quick and easy meal to make when they are busy.

I receive requests for jelly.  I know people who would be very disappointed not to receive.

• Start going through your cookie and candy recipes and decide what you want to make.  Buy some cute/pretty plates at yard sales/thrift stores for pennies to put those goodies on.  It is a pretty gift that they can keep and a yummy gift that they can eat.
• Crafting is big.  Make any type of items.  There are so many ideas.  Wood crafts, crochet, sewing, painting, recycled items.  Think games (make unique board games) or something like cornhole - holiday decorations - home décor. etc.  Simple quilts or lap covers, T-shirt blankets/throws, pillows, etc..  IF your imagination limits you, just look at Pinterest for ideas.  There is no limit.

                                        Simple woods crafts - very cute and basically FREE

 Simple patch quilts or throws.  Use materials you have, cut old clothes, or buy remnants.  Look at thrift stores yard sales for materials that can be used.

                        T-shirt throws.  Using what is on hand.  Can be school or hobby related.  I made this one for a nephew - I was given the shirts (his old ones) and all it cost was time and the backing.

• Put together items for kids.  Dress-up box, school supplies (they need them all year), art supplies, books, etc.  All items can be purchased at Dollar stores, or thrift stores or FREE from around the house.
• Think about giving heirlooms - passing things down in the family.  EXAMPLES - Frame a copy of grandma's noodle (or whatever) recipe and a picture of grandma, frame a pretty doily from the past, make a recipe book of family favorites, pass on a knick-knack, etc.
• Give coupons for personal service - babysitting, snow shoveling, cookie a month, a  meal a month (for a shut-in), travel to doctor visits or store, etc.

You get the idea.  There is just no limits to the things you can do frugally or just plain old FREE.  Free doesn't  mean not nice.  Some of the best gifts I have received were homemade gifts, home canned foods and just time spent with others.

Ways to get together some extra funds.

• Sell things you don't need.  Have a yard sale, sell at thrift shops or consignment shops, list on FB or Marketplace.  There are many options to get rid of unused items and make extra money.
• Think about buying small gift cards that can be used.  They can be given as gifts or if you buy while you have extra money - you can save them to use later when money is tight (for yourself or others).  BUY these gift cards at times/places that offer incentives.  Kroger has offers all the time to earn 4X fuel points when purchasing GC's (except their own).  It works out as a win-win situation.
• If you have a credit card that you use - make sure you know if you have been earning points on it.  Those points can garner you GC's or items.  
• Do something part time for a bit to earn extra money.
• Offer your services for pay.  Do fall clean-up of peoples yard, bake (your specialty), sew for others, craft and sell, help clean out a basement or garage...…..  There are unlimited options to help raise a bit of extra money.
• First and foremost - look around your home.  You will find all kinds of things that you can use or do that cost nothing.  Gifts from the heart mean the most.

We are just 4 months out - and despite nice weather, it is time to start thinking about gifts.  So get creative - use your garden goods or farm market finds, collect odds and ends from around the house to use, sell things to raise money, watch clearance sales (things do not have to be for the current season), watch cheap school supplies, shop thrift and yard sales (things don't have to be new).  

Get that brain activated and get motivated to have a fun and FRUGAL holiday.  No stress, no debt, just simple and creative.  Fun time with family!

SHARE your favorite ideas!