Some Days I Don't Want to Adult

You ever get that way?  Just want to go back in time for a spell?  I think most of us do, from time to time.  I know that many didn't have a good childhood - I am so grateful I did.
I just think about the simpler days - fresh air, hard work, playing until dark, no worries, quiet neighborhoods - it was just nice.

Technology gets the best of me some days.  In ways I love it and in ways I hate it.
Technology started out as a means to make life easier - now it seems to have complicated life.
Refrigerators, furnaces, telephones, cars, electric/gas stoves, flushing toilets, etc. - sure made life easy for the world.  Life upgraded quite a bit.
Now instant sharing on computers, bombardment of FB, computer games that cause young people to only use their thumbs (LOL) not their bodies or minds, artificial intelligence that takes away having to think, etc.
I know technology has good uses as well (many) - but I sure would like to go back in time sometimes.

This is where I went to grade school - one block from home, and walked every day.  It no longer exists.  We played on monkey bars, drank from the water fountains (surrounded by yellow barrier), had swings that reached the stars (LOL) and a tall metal slide that could cook bacon in the summer.  Yet we played on all those things.  The merry go round had a wood slat bottom and metal bars to hang on to.  I remember getting in trouble for laying down on it, face down, as it was going pretty darn fast.  Basketball goals, dodgeball area, softball fields, and a big old hollow tree in the grassy part of the yard that made for lots of fun for decades of kids!!  At one time or another each of us went in the tree and we hid things there.  That tree was huge and it was only in recent years that it came down.

We neighborhood kids rode our bikes to the school in the summer and also down to the creek (crick as we said) and hunted for crawdads.  We had Kool-Aid on the front porch swing and played Riddly Riddly Ree, or counted cars.  Playing Jacks and Old Maid was normal.  We played house and make believe and played with dolls and Barbie's.
We used our imaginations and had a ball.  We had a brick rail around the porch and my friends and I use to make up stories about treasure being buried in the railing and columns.
We would sit out back and eat green apples or rob the grape arbor.
Picnics of bologna or tuna fish sandwiches and homemade cookies and Kool-Aid on the porch rails with my friends.

This is my childhood home.  It no longer exists either - it burned down several years back.  It was nice by the time I came along.  Mom and Daddy paid a total of $4,800 for it and from what I hear it was in pretty bad shape when they got it.  It was bought on contract, and had an affordable monthly payment.  Mom said it had no paint on it when they moved in and the yard was all over grown.  It had an outhouse for years.
They cleaned it up as they could - Daddy always said "neat" doesn't cost much - just a little effort!

There used to be the porch swing where you see the red chair.  There was a garage - never used for a car, a chicken 'house' (coop).  It had apple, cherry, and peach trees, a huge old grape arbor, we had 6 - 100' rows of black raspberries, a huge garden and flowers every where.
My parents at one time had goats, rabbits and chickens.  Those were all done when I came along.
It was a neighborhood for me, but was at one time kind of 'country'.
The house had a living room, dining room, kitchen, closed in back porch (utilities were there) and bath downstairs and 2 attic bedrooms up.  The dining room at one time was used as a bedroom instead of dining.  Mom and Dad raised 5 of us here.

I remember a big old coal stove in the dining room area - that was our heat for the whole house.  Of course we had no AC.  On hot nights, we made pallets on the living room floor in front of the old wooden screen door, so as to catch a breeze.  Daddy often slept out on the porch!
I remember having an inside toilet, but did use the outhouse when playing outside.  We got the first bathtub when I was 9.  I took a bath by the stove in a metal tub in the winter and by the backdoor in the tub in the summer.
Mom had a wringer washer (I wish I had that now), and line dried clothes outside until too cold - then she had lines she put up in the dining room.  It would get so humid and muggy in there!!  She ironed EVERYTHING - and I mean everything.  She sewed and mended for others to make extra money and worked night shift at a bakery up the road for a while.  She got off at midnight and walked home - just what you did.  My sister and Dad would watch me.

All meals were homemade, as were snacks and goodies.  I was a teenager before I ever had restaurant food or store bought cookies.  Water, tea, Kool-Aid or milk were our drinks.
Family meals every Sunday were at noon.  It was hardly ever just us - extended family and often neighbors were there much of the time.  We had some family that always just 'dropped by' at noon.  Of course they ate.  I remember so many times that Mom just wasn't hungry - when they all appeared.  That was what Moms did!
Christmas morning coming down the stairs to all the wonderment.  Horseshoes and croquet in the back yard on Sunday afternoons.  Coming home from school and smelling homemade cookie smells coming out the window.  Huge homemade cookies and popcorn balls on Halloween.
Neighbors watching out for each other.

Those were the days!!!
Kids today just don't know these things (most don't).  Many people don't know their neighbors.  I only know  a few and I have been here for 34 years.  People are distant.

Technology has helped in some aspects, but I think it has raised the levels of stress, chaos, and anguish today.  We are hit with so much so often, that we just can't cope.  I believe this is why so many are depressed.
I think we all need to TURN OFF more often.  Sit in the yard or a park or the woods, watch nature, listen to the sounds, pet the animals and go back in time for a spell.  Calm your spirit and your mind and drift away to a simpler time.
We all need that!

Thanks for coming along on my visit of my youth.  I sure do miss those times and all those people.  Thanking God for the ability to have a memory.

Keep calm and keep the faith.  Never stray from your core beliefs - those are yours and no one can take them from you.  Have faith in your higher power.
Love life and make wonderful memories with someone today.
Blessings to all.

Jazz It Up - Have Fun

Today is more of using what you have, saving money and just jazzing things up or changing them up and still enjoying your food.
We all like to save a buck.  We don't want to be out shopping a lot right now.  We all love to eat.  So let's have fun and use what we have.  GET CREATIVE - there are no rules.

Nuts can be expensive.  I love pecans and walnuts in baking - but we all know they get real pricey real fast.  Sooooo why not use something a little cheaper?  Peanuts.  I realize that peanuts are not for everyone and that they are not a tree nut - they are really a legume.  But if you can eat them without any problems - substitute them in your recipes!
Anything chocolate would be fantastic with peanuts added.  Peanuts ae great in homemade granola.  They are good on top of oats or cereal.  What a taste sensation on ice cream (especially with chocolate drizzle).
I like to use sunflower seeds as well in some recipes.  Just open your mind and give some other items a try.  Both of these items will save money.

Who doesn't love banana pudding?  Ever wonder it has to be banana?  It doesn't.  Use whatever pudding you have on hand.  Play with it  and experiment.
Why even vanilla wafers?  They can be a little pricey around here - especially if you look to buy a brand name.  I found some 'bite size' ones at Dollar Tree - a $1 a box.  OK, that's fun.

No vanilla wafers?  No problem - use graham crackers, any type of cookie, chunky granola.  You can use any fruit as well - different pie fillings would be wonderful.
My head goes to cheesecake flavored pudding, with graham crackers and cherry pie filling!  EEK - that sounds heavenly.  You see where I am going.  Just use what you have and you can come up with a masterpiece!  It may be the best thing you have ever made and it will save $$ as well.

I love lasagna and pizza both.  I also like to play with both.  You can make your lasagna a Mexican lasagna or a pizza lasagna for a change up.
Mexican lasagna - flavor your meat with taco seasoning, add refried beans or black beans or chili beans - maybe corn (drained).  Salsa instead of marinara sauce - still use your noodles as usual, but try some different ingredients.  Use cheddar or Colby cheese instead of parmesan.
Noodles - can be any pasta.  No lasagna noodles - add macaroni or spaghetti to your layers (cooked) - seriously pasta is pasta.
Pizza lasagna - use pizza sauce (marinara is fine), maybe sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions, olives..... whatever you put on pizza.  Use whatever cheese you put on pizza.
Mix it up a bit.

Pizza - well, what can I say?  You can use whatever you have on top of a pizza.  It can be anything from plain old cheese to super duper fancy.  Leftovers are always great to add to the toppings.  Heck, I have even added leftover mac and cheese and let me tell you it was wonderful.
I make Mexican pizza often when I have leftover taco meat - I may add jalapenos too. I have even added refried beans to pizza.
I mean - come on - there is no such think as bad lasagna or pizza!!!!!!

Cornbread is another fun item to experiment with.  I sometimes add a small amount of finely chopped jalapenos to my mix and/or shredded cheese.  It makes for some very yummy cornbread.

Just throwing ideas out there, so no one ever thinks that they can't eat yummy - even if the pantry is getting low.  THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX  and don't be afraid to experiment.

We all take things way to serious any more - life is supposed to be fun and full of surprises.  Enjoy it.  Experiment, play, smile, eat, love, share and pray - it will surely make life better!

For those having trouble finding the video I mentioned yesterday, I am sorry.  I  have copied a picture of the video promo - maybe it will help you find it.

I tried to link the video and couldn't seem to get the hang of it.
Darn it - I hope you can find it.

Have a wonderful day all. 
Be patient and kind to all you meet - the world needs it.

Just a Random Morning Chat

Howdy everyone.  It is sure a pretty morning - yesterday started and ended with storms.  Last night was something - wind, lightening, thunder and downpours.
I did a walk around this morning and I did a little wading in the back forty!!!!  I went out to get the trash can (after trash p/u) and had to wade a little.  I need to go out in a bit and stake up the tomato cages.  They are so heavy with tomatoes and with the ground being saturated the are leaning.
Kitties were here bright and early for breakfast - I bet they were scared when the storms came through.
The sky was pinks and oranges this morning and the sun is shining - nothing damaged in my area - all is good.

I got a request on comments from Sunday post from Judy, asking about my salsa recipe.  Well, it is easy.  Mrs. Wages!!!  I love that stuff - it sure makes life easy.  Now I know some who don't like it and others say I am cheating.  So be it!  The packets contain all the spices, dehydrated onion and such needed - I add my tomatoes and vinegar.  I really like the taste as do the family members that receive in gift baskets - so I am no hurry to change it.
I use Mrs. Wages for pasta sauce, pizza sauce, salsa, and my pickles.  You can also find mixes for canning fruit as well - to make pie filling, etc.  I have never used the fruit mixes.

You can always tweak the mixes if you need to change it up a bit.  I use the leftover  brine from pickles for relish.  I have made Kosher relish and sweet relish.
The mixes work out for me - all the spices needed are in a bag.  Many items I wouldn't use for anything else - so no need to waste them.  I also buy these mixes marked down at the end of the season - and use the next year.  Heck I have even used some that were a couple/three years old.  Just keep dry and cool.

I thought I would mention a good You Tube you might want to watch about stretching the food budget.
The channel is The Bealles - and she recently did a challenge to stretch a small food budget over a week.  She spent just under $40 at a outlet grocery (she got some great deals) and she fed her family of 5, three meals a day, for 7 days.  105 MEALS less than $40!!!!!
She used only ingredients that she bought - as if assuming you had nothing else in the house.  It was really neat to see what she fixed and she DID provide some really nice meals.
I liked one idea she used - she needed to make a little rue and didn't buy flour - so she ground up a bit of the oatmeal she had purchased and used that!  Ingenious.  It worked!

What a great way to get oat flour when you can't find it at the store or you can't get out.  I always have lots of oats on hand - this would be a neat way to add fiber to bread recipes.  Nice way to add a lot of fiber without spending a dime.

There are just so many tricks that we can all use to stretch a budget.  All it takes is a little creative imagination and we can save money and eat good.
I have been seeing a lot of FB posts lately about using dehydrated zucchini and squash as a flour type ingredient.  Dehydrate and grind.  Replace some of flour with squash powder.  Adds hidden nutrients and flavor.
I first saw Vickie at Vickie's Kitchen and Garden  post this and then saw it several other times on FB.
I have a LOT of dehydrated zucchini and yellow squash in the pantry that I need to use.
What a great way to add to cakes, breads, cookies, muffins and even sauces!!!!!!  ALL for FREE!  You could add it to about anything!

I love finding new uses for things and ways to stretch the pantry and the food budget.

Tomorrow we will chat again.  I think I will talk about changing' up some ingredients in common dishes - utilizing what you have on hand and to make things a little fun and interesting.

Have a blessed day and BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING!

Weekly Wrap-Up 8/9

Good day to everyone.  Hope this finds each of you well and safe.
We had a lovely week of weather this past week - more fall like temps.  Cooler (70's) and lower humidity.  We did get rain a couple times.  It was wonderful.
This coming week it sounds like summer is returning.  Highs in the 80's (not bad) but humidity comes back.  Looks like several rain chances this coming week as well.

My neighbors (who had the doggy) got a new puppy.  I was surprised they did so, as quickly as they did.  I guess the guy was having a hard time adjusting!  It is so cute - it's about 4 months old and it will get big.  But he is pretty mellow for a puppy and just as cute as can be.  I think it is part Lab and part Blue Heeler (?).  Bandit is his name.

We had a bit of excitement (I could do without) in the neighborhood on Monday morning.  There was what looked like a bazillion police cars on the street when I got up!   I guess there was a Federal drug raid on a house about 4 doors down!!!!!  There were supposedly 30 raids around the city that morning all before dawn.  They arrested 2 people (one pregnant) and spent hours and hours at the house.  I guess you just never know what goes on behind closed doors!!!  So glad they shut it down - don't need that in our quiet neighborhood.  No one had a clue about drugs being there.  Scary.

My Surprise Lilies (naked ladies) popped up and started blooming this week.  I just love them.  The bulbs for them are far older than me.  They came from my parent's home -as did most of my pretties.  I have two big bunches of them that are blooming now.

My week:

• Had company come and visit on Sunday - we set outside on the porch and had a lovely visit.
• I got to spend a lot of time in the yard this week.  Mowed and trimmed.  Trimmed all the bushes and the berry patch.  Got the garden pretty much weed free!!!!!! YAY!   It always looks extra pretty for a day or two after  - then it all starts growing again!
• I have been picking tomatoes and a few more cucumbers (tiny).  There has to be hundreds of cherry tomatoes hanging out there!
• Did a lot of porch sitting this week - had the kitties join me a few times!!
• Ran to the library to return and got 2 cookbooks to read (like I have none!!)  LOL
• I did a stock-up run this week.  Checked out the dollar tree (didn't get much there) except my shampoo - enough for well over a year.  I also went to a smaller independent store and did well.  Got hair color, more TP (done for a while), dry bleach, olives, cider vinegar, instant coffee, toilet bowl cleaner, cat food (dry and wet), and litter.  
• Didn't need any regular groceries this week
• Had a squirrel corn feeder come down this week.  I went out and put it back up and shored up the other two.  All nice and sturdy again.  Fat little buggers!!!
• Made and canned salsa!  My first of the season.  I plan on doing more this week

Always looks just so pretty to me.  A start to homemade holiday gifts!!!!!

Take a gander at these Roma tomatoes!  Most of them are this big.  It fills my hand.  They sure are nice.

Meals this past week:

Burritos

Fried 'zoodles' with sauce, tomatoes and cucumber slices

Ramen noodles with veggie soup (freezer) added

Tortilla chips and cheese dip and sliced tomatoes (I was tired)

Tomato and bologna sandwich - a summer favorite

Beef and bean tostadas

Red beans/rice, chicken tenders and sliced tomatoes

How was your week?  Are you adding to your pantries?  Are you canning/freezing/dehydrating  anything?

Let us know what is going on in your life.

No matter how the days go, no matter what the news says, no matter - REMEMBER - the sun will rise tomorrow, the birds will be singing and the butterflies flying, children will be laughing and there is good in every day.  Make the best of what you are given.

Stay safe, stay well, stay happy and stay frugal.  

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

Summer Fun Yums

Today I am giving a couple fun 'recipes' for the summer months.  Oh who am I kidding - I'd eat these goodies absolutely anytime of the year.  Bet you would too!!!


ICE CREAM TACOS
8 frozen round waffles - thawed
1 quart ice cream (flavored best) - softened
Mini marshmallows, hot fudge, chocolate syrup, mini chips - whatever you like
8 cherries (optional)

Warm the waffles - do NOT toast.  Gently fold each waffle in half and set it in a 13 x 9 baking pan - open side up.  Keep rows tight, so they don't fall over.
Add ice cream and any other ingredients you wish.  Cover and freeze until firm.  Drizzle with chocolate before serving.

                                                       (Not my picture) - from cookbook


ICE CREAM CONE CAKES
Mix up your favorite cake batter.
Set up  cones in a flat bottom baking pan.  Fill cones to within 1/2" from top.  Bake at 375* for 35 minutes (or as directed by your cake  recipe).  Cool completely and ice as you wish.
What a cute party idea - great for little ones or grown ups!  Makes eating your cake fun and easy!!

                                                       (Not my photo) - from cookbook


STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM
2 C strawberries - hulled and crushed
4 C sugar
1 3/4 oz. pkg. powdered pectin
3/4 C water
5 - 1/2 pint freezer safe containers
Combine sugar and strawberries in a large mixing bowl and set aside
Whisk together pectin and water in a small saucepan - bring to a boil.  Boil and stir constantly for one minute, remove from heat.  Pour pectin water over strawberry mixture.  Stir until sugar is dissolved - about 3 minutes.
Pour into container and secure lids.  Set in frig until it sets up (about 24 hours).  Freeze for up to one year.
What a great gift!!!


Have some summer fun and yum.  I just love cute and simple recipes that makes people smile.
These would be fun for every age group!
ENJOY

Storms in Life

Today is just kind of a follow-up of some of the replies from yesterday.
It sure sounds like most of us are in the frame of mind when it comes to being prepared.  I guess that is why we are all here.
I, for one, don't want to be an ostrich and have my head in the sand.  I want to be aware and alert and prepared.  It seems so many people just don't get it - or they don't want to.  IT WON'T HAPPEN TO ME - a prevalent attitude today.

I said yesterday in reply to someone - we are more alike than different.  It doesn't matter where we live or what we do for a living - we want our families to be safe and strong and we want the assurance of what 'normalcy' we can scrape together.

I loved this saying the second I saw it.  So true.  Quit waiting for things to go back to normal - that may never happen.  Normal will be different from this day forward. 
Instead - learn to DANCE  - or thrive with what you have and the difficulties you are given.
It can be anything.  Losing a spouse, monetary abilities change, job gone, health issues, weather predicaments, etc.
There are just some things we can not change - believe me, I would have if I could have.  We need to learn that our lives change over and over during our years here on earth.  We have to learn and move forward.  That doesn't mean you aren't sad or that you aren't mourning that change.
It just means that we all have to learn a new DANCE at different times in our lives.

Most of us here, like that simpler lifestyle.  We know what to do if  **IT hits the fan.  We are prepared as well as we can be.
Nothing at all wrong with that.  It is smart.
I am a true believer that lifestyles in general are going to change.  I think society is heading for a step or three backwards.  I, for one, find that comforting!!!  I think life was better in years past - easier NO -  but better.

I am so happy to be a part of this community of fantastic, caring, and thoughtful people.  We all seem to be encouraging each other in so many ways.  That is what the world needs more of right now.  I wish we could bottle up the "love and communion" we have here and spread it every where.
I want you to know how much I appreciate each of you.  Thank you for being here.

Don't be hard on yourself - remember you can't be everywhere for everyone - just be somewhere for those that matter.
Be versatile, adept, and endeavor to persevere.
LET'S DANCE!!!!

AUGUST - Prepare and Maintain

I plan to make this month my month for the big push.  I want to make sure that I get the pantry loaded for the upcoming winter (as well as I can), and I plan to maintain the stock I have.
I know that I can't get everything I will need this winter (right now) - but I want to try and really get my stocks up.  I do use what I have - so I want to maintain as well - that means adding.

I will be going through everything and see just what I have.  I want my pantry to have a good years worth of supplies.
I want to can everything I can get my hands on.  I may not grow it - but I want to get fresh goods somewhere to can. (for me/family & gifts)
I want to get all the STUFF out of this house.  I have been going through stuff for months and trying to set aside things I don't want to keep.  Until recently, I could not take them any where.  The stuff needs to go.

Now is the time to get ready.
The world is in an extreme amount of dis-order.  Nothing is the same.  Things seem upside down.
You are the only one that can create ORDER.  You can maintain order in your private environment - you have that control.  DO IT!  Take your power back.  Don't let anyone else have control of your household.  That is your domain.

I am lucky, as I am not a picky person.  I can eat all types of beans and rice (I can jazz them up).  I can eat biscuits and jelly or gravy.  I have lots of flour and sugar and yeast.  I can make bread, flat breads, biscuits or tortillas.  I can make all kinds of soups.   I love soup beans and cornbread.
This girl could live on these things - I have all of this covered.

Stop and think - do you have the basics to make simple meals?  We don't have to eat meat all the time.  Beans are great protein - eggs, peanut butter (or all nut butters) are great proteins.  There are alternatives.  That lets the meat you do have last much longer.  Use less per recipe.
Think simple - there are so many ways to stretch your dollars and supplies.

Do you have what you need for holiday cooking and baking?  If your answer is no - GET IT! 
Do you have plans for holiday gifts?  Make those plans now!  Plan on what you want to give - home canned goods, baked goods, crafts, goody baskets of any type - just make your plans and get started.

Make August your month for preparing and maintaining.  Make August your month for planning.  Make August your month for doing inventories of EVERYTHING! 
Not just food - health and beauty, medical supplies, pet supplies, garden items, gifts, crafts, etc..
Cold weather (for us) and summer (for southern hemisphere) will be here in a minute!!!!!!!!

Can, freeze, dehydrate, buy what you will need WHILE YOU CAN.
We all know that things can change overnight.
Let's get busy!