Weekly Wrap-Up 7/18

 Happy Sunday to all!  I hope this finds everyone safe, healthy and happy.  

We have finally had the rain stop!!!!  Oh my, did we have rain and more rain.  Everyday this past week.  I had a lake out back for over 2 days.  It really took a while to recede as the ground was so saturated.  This morning there are just lots of dead worms laying about and it smells very 'wormy'!!!  Is that a word?  LOL

I sure wish we could have sent that rain else where.  SOOOOOO many need it.

This was a family week for me.  Sometimes I go weeks without seeing or hearing from anyone other than neighbors - this week was an exception.  I went to sis's for dinner one evening and brother/sil were there too.  A niece I hadn't seen in about 5 years was there as well.  In town from Arkansas.  Later in week I saw another niece I had seen since Glen's funeral (2 1/2 yrs.).  She was in town and came by for a visit.  I went to lunch with Glen's aunt & uncle (hadn't seen in a year) and G's nephew came by Saturday for a visit.  We always have great talks.

Today I am going with bro/sil to another nieces house for a family get together with her growing family.

I am not feeding birds like normal - but have so many showing up.  Birds that never even came before.  The squirrels are a blast to watch - they love to play.  Had 4 young racoons the other night - boy those things can run fast.  They were chasing each other and playing.  Stayed for just a few minutes and left - nothing to see here kids!!!!!!

My week:

• Cut and colored hair at home
• No need to water anything this week.  Barrels are full and still haven't used hose for plants
• Picking lots of goodies - zucchini, peppers, cukes, and onion
• I got a new cell phone at no cost.  They are upgrading the system and sent me a new one - a SMART flip-phone!  Who knew?  I will not use it for anything other than a phone - but it does stuff!!
• Renewed library book online until I get back to library
• I did drop off paid bills at P.O. and I bought 100 Forever stamps before they go up in price
• Sis sent me home with leftovers.  I got spaghetti, sauce & meatballs I froze for another dinner.  Extra meatballs I used this week.  Garlic bread I used.  Brownies - you know I ate those!!!!
• My printer/scanner seems to have finally bit the dust.  I have been able to fix in the past - but I think it died this time.  I have options at library and a shop down the street and my neighbor has one - so I have time to look around and decide.    Lucky to have options in case.
• I did a feed store run after I met aunt & uncle.  Stocked up.
• NO grocery store
• Eating from garden and home - just doing all the normal stuff
• NO yard work this week - too wet.  I sure can't wait to get out there tomorrow - it needs help!!!

Meals this past week:

Tuna patty, leftover pasta/veg salad corn on cob

Dinner at sis's

Meatball & cheese 'sub' - using hotdog buns from frig

Burger on garlic bread (instead of bun) and salad

Ate out with aunt & uncle (Taco Bell)

Fried zucchini strips and cheesy mashed potatoes

Cheesy potato cakes and salad (used leftover mashed pots)

Ate brownies, fruit for snacks

                                 Fried zucchini and cheesy mashed - super tasty and filling!

How has your week been?  How are those gardens doing?  Anyone get any good deals this week?  Inquiring minds want to know!!!  LOL

I sure hope all are well.  Praying for rain for the dry and scorched areas.  Those in fire areas - prayers for safety.  Flooding, drought, fires, hunger....... so much going on in the world.  Please keep all in your prayers.

Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life, he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."

John 6:35

Lord, we pray for all the people of the world and for their safety.  Help us each to be better humans, each and every day.  Thank you for our many blessings - big and small.  Thank you for each new day.  We are blessed indeed.

Amen

Grocery Shopping

 Howdy everyone!  Yesterday and today are grocery ad days.  I usually get a copy on Wednesday (as sales start then), and another copy on Thursday.  I look at them every week - but many weeks I don't go shopping.

There is no need to for me - as I have plenty here.  If I see a great deal, I will go and try to participate.  Of course there are the clearance aisles - I love to look there.

There are a lot of little tips that can save you some money if you just take the time to plan.

REMEMBER:

The front page of the ad is probably the best deals of the ad.  It has all the items that are marked really low trying to draw you in, and it is often fresh items. (Loss leaders).  The stores don't make much money on those items - but they are used to bring you in and thus you buy those and MANY MORE items!

The remainder of most ads is junk and non-healthy items.  Highly processed foods, junk food, and non food items make up remainder of ad.

Think about sales and stock-up accordingly.  There are a couple ways to save.

Seasonal sales - the things we all buy at certain times of the year.  Hotdogs, condiments, turkey, ham, cream soups, baked beans, fresh citrus, apples, etc.

Cyclical sales  - sales that hit every so many weeks.  Kind of watch and keep track.  Usually these happen every 6, 9 or 12 weeks.  You can usually figure out the schedule.  Keep at least enough of those items to last until the next time.

Clearance - ALWAYS check the clearance sections.  Items are not necessarily about to become dated (best by) - they are most often over stock.  Crazy as that sounds - it is what happens at a lot of stores.  You would think they would like having extra stock - but no.  I was told by my grocer that once they fill the regular aisle up - all extra gets marked down and put in clearance.  So the same item can cost 2 different prices at the same time.  They want nothing in their back rooms.  This is something we all need to remember - as it means that WHAT YOU SEE IS ALL THERE IS!!!!!!!  This is why a grocery can be wiped out of stock in an emergency in no time.  Kind of scary.

Check produce, bakery, dairy, meat sections as well for markdowns.  Those areas generally have markdowns when getting close to sell by or best by dates.  Get it and can or freeze it!!!!

Shop the perimeter of the store for the healthiest products.  Think about it - produce, deli, meat, and dairy are all on the perimeter.  These are the REAL foods!   Highly processed foods are in the middle of the store.

Look high and low - for better prices.  Generally the most expensive items are at eye level - that is where you look first and they know it.  Off brands and store brands are usually up or down.  Most times the quality is the same of better.  You would be amazed at how many different brands are processed at the same facility and just labeled differently!!!!

End caps are highly visual displays made to catch your attention.  They are not necessarily sales!  Chips, pop, processed food - it's all there.  Not usually real food or special prices.  Don't be fooled.

Coupons used to be a great way to save - not so much any more.  Most coupons are for high priced items or highly processed goods.  I remember the days of double and triple coupons and the days of .40 and .50+ coupons.  Those are unheard of today.  I used to go crazy with coupons - and get tons of items for almost nothing.  I could have a deep cart over flowing and maybe spend $10.  Not possible today.  I very seldom use a coupon - maybe for cat food or hair dye - not much else.

If you can find a good coupon for a good product - use it.  That is free money.

Now that gardens are starting to produce - I won't be going to the store much at all.  I would rather spend my dollars at a produce stand if need be.  Our produce stands are mainly local people selling their goods - and I like supporting local.

Take time and watch ads and really study them.  When you find a super sale - stock up!!!  Prices will positively keep going up - no doubt about it.  It is called inflation and supply and demand.  Whatever you can get cheaply now is a dollar saved in the future.  Try to keep yourself stoked up WELL.

REMEMBER last year!!!!!!!  Think about those things that disappeared on the shelves - it could happen again.  Be prepared.

No one knows what the future holds for us.  We have to be able to depend on ourselves.  You and you alone are responsible for making sure you and your families are supplied and prepared.

Be prepared NOT scared or frightened of the future.

So watch your ads and know how they work.  Watch for un-advertised markdowns, clearance and local deals. Check out farm stands and local farmers and growers (you are helping your community). Stock as much as you possibly can and never be stuck without.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN - and HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!!!!

All in a Day

 Sometimes life isn't real exciting.  It is just the normal stuff day after day.  You all know what I mean.  New day - same old stuff!  Well, I guess we all see and hear different things each day - so today I will just share a little of what I see on a normal day.  Maybe the scenery will be a little different than yours!!!

                                          So welcome to my yard.  Let's do a look about!

Coreopsis is blooming - and the bees love it.  Not the prettiest flower - but they are bright and cheery.

Old fashioned phlox.  This came from my parents home.  I have it in several places.  Finally starting to bloom - as that darned old ground hog in the spring 'pruned' all my plants!  I guess he loved it.  I love the purple color and it smells so sweet.

Picking some kind of produce almost daily now.  I have gotten a couple cucumbers as well as zucchini and peppers.  Tomatoes not nearly ripe yet!

My plants are getting so big and full.  The tomato plants are glorious looking and have lots of little toms and tons of blooms.  Loving the fact that I have lots of bees around.

Lot's of peppers hanging out there.  Didn't plant traditional bell peppers this year - these are sweet green banana like peppers.  They don't get yellow.  I forget the name of them.  They are tasty!

If you look closely at the centers of the echinacea you will see the finches are already starting to eat the seeds!  I have been doing less food for the birds - as they are telling us NOT to feed right now - there is some disease going around with wild birds.  I have seen none that look sick.  I do keep the bird baths full (not supposed to do that either) - but I clean well every day.  I do put out peanuts for the jays and cardinals and woodpeckers and of course they eat everything that falls on the ground from squirrels.  Robins - well they stay on the ground and eat worms and buggers.

Suddenly, there are tons more birds in the back yard than I have ever seen.  More and more variety.  Not sure I understand why!

Blackie looking all handsome sitting out there looking like a Halloween cat amongst the leaves!  First the tulip poplar flowers fell - then the leaves - now it is still leaves and some darned old pods falling.  Messiest tree ever!  Blackie makes sure the yard stays safe for the girls - he has become quite the protector.

Momma just hanging out in her house!  She sleeps most of the day (and eats) - and catches mice at night!  She is so fuzzy and soft.  Such a sweet old gal.

Fluffy actually posing for me!  Looking at me  as if to say "what?"!!!!  LOL  She is such a sweet pea. 

A few 'mators hiding.  They are really hard to find as there is so much plant!  Can't wait to get the first taste of a fresh one.  YUM.

Garden dinner.  One of my zucchini cooked up with some leftover taco meat and salsa.  Starting to gift to others now!  Such a versatile veggie.

Well, there you go.  Just a little look around.  Not a lot happening - cleaning inside a lot and decluttering.  Rain MAY leave us alone today and tomorrow - then back again.  It has been hard to get outside to do stuff.  It is either heat and humidity or rain - it's always something!!!!!  LOL  

So many are having such a horrible time with heat and dryness and FIRES.  Prayers for all.

Just glad to have another day - so trying not to complain too much here.

Have a great day!!!!!  Stay safe!

 

Thinking About Christmas in July - YIKES

 I know!  I know!  I know!

Gardens are coming on and flowers are blooming.  The heat is on and rains are falling.  BUT, yes now is the time to think about some items for our Christmas gift boxes.

Some gifts have to be thought of during the summer months - because that is when ingredients are plentiful!

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE JAM

2 quarts crushed/finely chopped pineapple (about 2 whole pineapples)

2 1/2 C white sugar

2 1/2 C brown sugar

1 lemon - pulp and juice

2 C water

1 - 16 oz. jar maraschino cherries (chopped and rinsed)

1 tsp. almond extract

Makes 8 - 1/2 pints

Combine all ingredients except cherry and extract.  Bring to a slow boil and stir until sugar is all dissolved. Cook rapidly to a gel phase - stirring often.  Remove from heat and stir in cherries and almond extract.  Place in hot jars and leave 1/4" head space.  Process for 15 minutes in a water bath.

YUM!!!!  How wonderful on biscuits over ice cream or oatmeal.  So many uses.

                                                              Enchilada Sauce

ENCHILADA SAUCE

                                       Click on picture to enlarge and better be able to read

HOMEMADE

LEMON OR MINT EXTRACTS

Pull your lemon balm or mint and remove leaves.  Crush a little or bruise the leaves.  Place leaves in a jar - lightly packing about 3/4 full.  Top with vodka or rum.  Lid and place in a cool dark place - for around 4 months.  Shake every now and then.

Strain and place in nice bottle or jar and use as you would store bought.

                                                                        Lemon balm

HOMEMADE 

VANILLA EXTRACT

This is the one I use - as per Martha Stewart recipe.  There are many out there!

2 split vanilla beans per 1 cup of vodka.  Let it set 3 - 4 months before using.

HOMEMADE VINEGARS

Place crushed or bruised leaves of any herbs - basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, etc. in a jar and cover with cider vinegar.  Let it set for a few months to absorb herb flavors.  Great to use over Italian foods or as a salad topping.  Many uses.

HOMEMADE

Think about spaghetti sauces, pizza sauce, pickles, relishes, peppers, Cowboy candy (jalapenos), jellies and jams - anything you can prepare from fresh and can.  These things make wonderful gifts!

Watch the thrift stores and yard sales for fancy little bottles and jars to place vinegars or extracts in.  You can get them for next to nothing.  Dollar Tree is another place to look for cute little bottles.

You can make up pretty labels and copy at home to really make your items look special.

These items can be purchased at high end specialty stores for a LOT of money.  Make it yourself for little.

So even though you may be sweating your bum off - it is time to start looking around for all these wonderful fresh goodies to turn into beautiful and thoughtful special gifts.

PS ** You might want to keep watch for garden seeds on markdown.  They would make a nice addition to gift baskets with maybe some garden gloves or grow pots.  

Let's get CREATIVE!

Weekly Wrap-Up 7/11

 Happy Sunday everyone.  It is a gloomy and wet morning here.  Rain and more rain - I sure wish I could send some of it to you who need it so badly.  We have a chance of rain for every single day this coming week.  Temps here have cooled a bit, which is lovely, it is just muggy feeling.  I feel so sorry for those living out West where the temps are so incredibly dangerous.  Please take care.

                            Squirrel planted and approved!  It is going to be a double bloomer

The week started with the 4th of July and it was horrible here.  That night was like being in the epicenter of a war zone for hours on end.  It didn't stop until 1AM.  I was totally surrounded with idiots who had let loose of too many of their dollars!!!!!  UGH! (I can't begin to describe the noise)

Thursday we had a major downpour and storms.  Friday cooled so much and was just perfect.  I got a lot done outside and was so tired at the end of the day.  I sat out on the porch at the end of the day and watched others sitting out, the littles across the street being so sweet, listened to birds and had a kitty at my feet.  It was a perfect end to a busy day.  More rain came in yesterday and it rained during the entire overnight.

I got proficient with my ladder this week!!!  A couple big outdoor jobs checked off the list.  Boy did I use muscle I had forgotten about!!!!

My week:

• Pruned the lower limbs of my big old trees (over 50+ years old).  Got the limbs that were hanging over the roof and gutter, over the greenhouse, over the power lines and just general trimming.  The limbs are all out back to dry for burning at a later date
• I used the air fryer again this week.  Slowly learning
• I cleaned up leaves 2X this week.  Raked once and blew them once.  It looks so nice when they are clean.  Doesn't last long - but it looks nice!
• I did a small repair on a pair of jeans.  I managed a super glue spot about the size of a thumbprint on them and it discolored.  Didn't come out after washing.  I used a dark blue permanent marker (which turned kind of purple blue) and then used a gray marker.  You can NOT see the spot at all now!!!!!
• I am HARVESTING!!!!!  I got 9 zucchini this week and several peppers.  I have a pepper called Holy Mole' - supposed to be milder than jalapeno but the same flavor.  Holy Mole' were they wrong - it was hot!  LOL  That is OK - I 'll use them.

                                     This is what a Holy Mole' looks like - super long and skinny

• I did make a grocery run finally.  Not much - mainly fresh stuff.  Did get a good deal on cat litter - 20 lb. bags for 2.99 - got the last 2 on the shelves.  Found purple cauliflower in .99 bin.  Got 2 cantaloupes 2/$5.  So super sweet and juicy.  One is already gone!!!
• I cleaned the gutters and the downspouts on Friday.  I noticed on Thursday's rain they looked full!  Gutters were messy, especially out back - but the downspouts had gotten plugged up.  Took them apart and cleaned out.  All clean and ready for more rain!  That was quite a tiring job!
• Cut more basil
• Just doing all the normal stuff.  Cooking from home, using leftovers, basic cleaning, drinking tea and water, laundry in cold and used dehumidifier water in laundry.

Meals this past week:

Various fish, chicken and potato bites (in air fryer) and salad - (all cut in pieces and breaded)

Broccoli/rice/cheese and salad

Club sandwich and chips

Zucchini/pepper/chicken/pasta mix up - (pasta from freezer)

Hard shell tacos

Sauteed zucchini with leftover taco meat and salsa added (so good)

Pasta and veggie salad (mainly veggies)

OJ and cantaloupe for fruit this week.

                                Colorful pasta and veggie salad.  So tasty and made plenty

How was your week?  Are your gardens producing?  SO many yummies to be had now - whether home grown or farm markets!  Any good bargains this week?

I wish you all a safe and healthy week.  Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

🙏🙏🙏

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.  

Galatians 5:13

Lord help us be good neighbors and love others with our whole hearts.  Prayers for peace and kindness in the world.  May all people love one another and have peace.  AMEN

How I Live on Little $$$$$

 I know I live on less money than many people believe possible.  My past and my way of life for years has enabled me to do this.  I do have a decent income with SS and PERF (hub's retirement).  I have really started saving more - which was truly surprising to me.

I don't necessarily save to just have it - but to live in case of emergencies or need for spending on big projects.  I also like having extra to donate at times.

I pretty much live on less than one of these checks per month.

My biggest save is  the house!  It is PAID for.  We bought a very inexpensive home, smaller than most might want and worked hard to pay it off as soon as possible.  That is a blessing now.  My property taxes are very reasonable.  Homeowner's insurance costs far more than anything else I pay - as I cover myself for for any problem that may arise. (called an Umbrella).  I pay that insurance once a year and it is NOT included in my monthly budget $.  It comes from savings.

Next I stay home and do NOT shop very often.  I know people who feel the need to go to stores of some sort every day!!!!  Not me.  Staying home and not spending is a huge money saver.

I often make plans to go out shopping and then talk myself our of it!!!!  I really need nothing.  Why should I go out and tempt myself?

I don't grocery shop every week.  No need.  I have a very ample pantry and deep pantry.  If not for pets and animals I wouldn't need to spend much of anything for a LONG, LONG time.  

I can eat a very varied diet for a long while and not shop.  If I would run out of fresh - I can canned and frozen.  I could survive quite well.

I grow a garden - not huge - but ample.  It could be more if I so desired.

I USE up everything.  I use all leftovers in some way - whether another meal, re-inventing into something new, or freezing for the future.

I wear my clothes for a long time - I don't dress fancy, so no need for fancy clothes.  I spend most of my life barefoot or in flip-flops!  I do have good shoes!!  LOL

I do NOT shop online.  Nope!!!  I just don't.  I want to see what I am buying.

I have lowered my basic bills as low as I can.  I am now in the process of lowering a couple of bills that will add up to about another $100 a month that I don't have to spend.  You can call places and ask for lower rates - many times they say yes (especially if you threaten to leave!)

I don't buy a lot of gifts. I give homemade items and gift cards for most.  Little kids get stuff - but I watch for deals and  sales.

I use what I have.  I cook from home and don't go out to eat (unless it is with a gift card).  I experiment with food - so have variety.  I can make things.  I am handy around the house and yard.  I can repair many things myself.  IF I can in any way do it myself, I will.  I have and know many family, friends, and neighbors that are in various trades - and I would rather help them with my business than strangers.

My monthly budget DOES include all utilities, Medicare and supplemental insurance, life insurance and household expenses.

I do vehicle insurance 2X a year, car registration 1X, property taxes 1X (I pay all at once) and homeowner's insurance 1X a year.  These all come from savings (part of why I save).

Mainly, I have ENOUGH!!!!!  I don't need big and fancy.  I don't need new and improved.  I don't need gadgets out the wazoo.  I can make do with what I have and that is MY choice.  I am blessed in so many ways.  There are so many people in the world who would feel rich with what I have.  Many would feel rich with what you have.  Sure others would feel poor - but I do feel sorry for those people.  

People have become accustomed to having SO much - to excess.  It isn't needed and doesn't make you any happier (some may argue that).

Now I realize that there are many who have medical problems and need to spend funds on supplies and medications.  Those can be huge.  

I am content with my life and with what I have.  I could have more and bigger - and maybe I will at some point - but I don't have to.  I have enough.

Learn to live BENEATH your means and you can live well.  Don't fall for the temptations of others and for the need of stuff.  You really need very little to live a happy life.

I hope this makes someone feel OK that they don't have big, new, expensive and fancy stuff.  It is OK.  You live you!  I live me!  We don't have to be the same.  We don't have to agree.  

We just need to be true to ourselves and plan a little bit for the future.  Things happen and come up.  We DO need to be prepared for those.

Be happy with what you have - you are far "richer" than most!

Remember "rich" really has nothing to do with $$$$$$.

Summer Reminders - Lot's of Harvest & YUM

 It is that time of the year that the gardens are really starting to produce.  So much fresh and wonderful food being produced.  REAL FOOD!  NUTRITIOUS FOOD!

I just love this time of the year.  You can walk out to your yard and get groceries!  How wonderful is that?  I love that friends, family and neighbors share with each other.

There is nothing better than good fresh veggies.  So many things we can do with them.  It doesn't need to be boring.

Just a reminder - a few ideas and yummy looking pictures!

                                                 Tomatoes aren't just for salad!

                                                      Green beans - hot or cold

                                    My summer favorite!!!!  Love fried green tomatoes!!!

                                        Pizza on zucchini - more than one way to eat pizza!~

Stuffed squash - zucchini or yellow.  Can stuff with rice, tomatoes sauce, meat, dressing, etc.  YUM

                                                               Another favorite!!

Grilled or oven baked stuffed peppers.  You can stuff with anything and you can stuff ALL kinds of peppers.

This says it all!!!  You don't have to be fancy.  Eat as much of this summer produce as possible.  Enjoy those fresh ingredients while you can get them.  Can or freeze what is left over.  Spread the wonder of summer all through the year.

Each fresh, eat the yumminess of summer, eat good whole REAL food.  You will be better for it!!!!

ENJOY