Yes, even the wealthy!

 We all speak of our frugal ways.  We all practice many frugal ways.  Some do it because they have to financially.  Some do it because it is just the right thing to do.  Some do it because it has become a habit.  We all have different reasons.

I think we have all read stories about those people who are stupidly wealthy - yet they have maintained their frugal ways.  I have read many a story about Sam Walton and also Warren Buffett.  Both ridiculously wealthy.  They both maintained their homes they had before they made their fortunes.  Both decided to continue to drive their older model vehicles and both would wear their suits until thread bare.

 I don't think they were being greedy - I think they both just decided that STUFF was not that important in their lives. (I know that sounds crazy to say).

I find it sad that perhaps their families didn't necessarily follow suit - they did have good examples.

With the recent event of the Queen's passing, I came across an article about her and frugality.  She has palaces and castles to live in.  The crown jewels at her disposal.  She attended balls and world events.  She also preferred to east very basic meals.  She made sure food and other things were not wasted.  She had many outfits remade - because it was recycling and prudent.   She had new heels and soles put on shoes.  It appears some of her extended family have followed suit in some ways.

Here is a neat story on her Majesty's frugal ways.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/waste-not-want-not-queen-140000882.html

I thought it was interesting to read and nice to know - it isn't just us 'everyday' folks that try to be frugal.  I hope you can open and read.

ENJOY

Weekly Wrap Up 9/11

 Happy Sunday to all.  I hope this finds you safe and healthy.

Today is the 21st anniversary of the event that changed the entire world.  People may not realize it - here and abroad - but every life WAS changed after that day.  So much changed, and so many lost.  I will never forget that day and many days following.  I live in the flight zone of the airport - and I remember that immediately (and for many days) the skies were silent.  I remember crying and not believing that this could happen.  I remember my momma (who was so sick) not understanding - and crying, saying "what is happening in this world".  I remember it all - I WILL NEVER FORGET!

This week the weather has been decent - not too hot.  We are having rain today.  

The birds have been enjoying themselves.  I keep seeing the hummingbirds, and the finches are sure loving my echinacea flowers.  There were 3 bright yellow finches out there the other day - all enjoying a fresh lunch!  The cardinals greet me every morning before sunrise.  They are the first to show up each morning and give me a lovely serenade as I feed the cats.

We have a couple cooler days coming up (70's) this week, then back to the 80's.

My week:  (quiet)

• Using what I have and using all leftovers in some way
• Renewed library books online
• Mowed and trimmed everything
• Harvesting each day and freezing lots of goodies until I get myself in a mood to can!!!
• Cut my hair and did a touch up of color
• Paid everything I had on hand
• Got to air the house many mornings and had the window open late each night
• Sorting and organizing a lot more in the deep pantry
• Received an unexpected check.  Will probably use it for gift cards and basket goodies for holiday gifts
• Used the rain barrels this week for watering
• My shutters have been painted!!!  My neighbor came and took them down and took them home and cleaned and air painted them.  Oh my goodness, they are lovely - they look brand new!  Hopefully this week the doors will be done.
• I did run up to the Christian thrift store up the road (needed to get out a while).  I bought myself 2 long sleeve heavy t-shirt material tops.  They are really pretty and will be great alone or under a sweatshirt.

Click on pic to enlarge.  Hard to see in this one.  I love them and they only cost $1 each!

Meals this past week:

Baked potato with chili sauce and cheese

2 slices pizza (from freezer)

Cauliflower steak, corn on cob, sliced tomatoes (meatless day)

Ground beef/peppers/mushrooms sauteed over rice

Fried chicken and salad

Egg roll bowl

Leftover cabbage/sausage and mashed potatoes

I have been in a mood lately - just can't shake it.  I need to boost myself up and get myself busy.  So much to do.  I think I need some fun in my life!  LOL.  I guess we all have these down times.  

How was your week?  Did you get any great deals?  Are the gardens still going?  Mine is winding down a little - but still hanging in there.  Okra is really taking off!

I wish you all a blessed week.  Please stay safe and healthy.

Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.

Dear Lord, I pray that You will help us each to choose hope over despair, that You will help us expand compassion to others.  I pray for peace for everyone and all lands. Let us all practice love for others.  Please bless us as we go into this new week.  AMEN

Use Those Trays for More than Ice

 An ice cube tray is not just an ice cube tray!!!!  They have so many uses for freezing things.  I have extras that I keep that I do not use for ice.  So many things can be frozen and even when you have dribs and drabs left - you can freeze them and use.

It isn't crazy - it is about using everything up - ALL THE TIME!

Tomato sauce or paste is great to freeze in cubes.  Freeze and bag - pull out just what you need for a dish.

Coffee - freeze leftover coffee.  Put a cube in a super-hot cup of coffee to cool and not water it down.  Nice to have on hand to thaw and add to chocolate goods when baking.  Coffee really enhances the flavor of chocolate.

Herbs - freeze fresh herbs in water in trays.  Super handy to have on hand when cooking.

Gravy and sauces - keep even small amounts.  Throw those cubes in that soup pot bag or bowl in the freezer.  Great for adding a little extra flavor

Freeze iced tea or juices for using in a glass of tea.  Keeps things cold and no watering it down.

Soup or soup stock.  It adds bits of flavor that is great for any kind of dish.  Think stock to use in pasta, rice, beans, etc.

Great for leftover wine.  Again, use to keep a glass of wine cold or to add a bit of wine to a dish.  Throw in a grape or piece of fruit in the wine cube and add a refreshing addition to your next glass!

I used to always freeze Kool-Aid in cubes for flavoring tea - and Glen used to like to just crunch on them!  I also used to freeze yogurt in ice cube trays for him.  He loved it that was.  A refreshing treat.

I freeze milk that is about to go south.  I use it in my smoothies in the morning.  Great for making shakes and malts - use for biscuits and for gravy.  Never be without milk.

I freeze eggs in muffin tins (they are bigger), but many people freeze eggs in ice cube trays.  I just never find them large enough for each egg - but I guess it depends on the size of your cube trays.

Juice left from a can of fruit or from cooking fruit?  Freeze it - great for frozen drinks or flavoring in muffins and sweet breads.

If you have littles - you can puree up unseasoned veggies or fruit and freeze in trays for baby food.

NOT an ice cube tray - but you can freeze mashed potatoes, dressings and even meat loaf in muffin tins.  Nice size for a single serving.

I keep lots of extra trays around for all those things that are not ice!  

Make sure you mark your baggies or bowls with descriptions.  Waste nothing - use in some way or another!!!!

Could You??????

 Today I am going to mention a couple of books I have read in the past.  Both on the subject of limiting our purchases.  One is about NOT buying things and the other is about buying only local (or growing own).

I have read both of these many years back.  Some people like the books and others find them crazy.  I guess it is all about your take on the subject.

The first is called - Not Buying It - My year Without Shopping.  By - Judith Levine.  Now there are a lot of books about this subject and even FB pages - but back in the day, she was the first.

Their philosophy was to buy nothing un-necessary for a year.

Therein lies the catch - un-necessary!!!!!  I guess it depends on each person.

Yes, you need to spend on home and utilities and medical and insurances and food.  It was mainly about not buying new STUFF!  No clothes, no gifts (they were made), no eating out, no frills.  I guess where I had a problem is that years ago, she thought spending $120 a visit at the beauty shop as necessary!  They had 3 vehicles for two people to upkeep.  Some things didn't make since.

For me, it would be about making do with what I have and making new uses of things and recycling what I could.

Could I go without buying stuff for a year?  Sure - I don't buy that much anyway.

Could you do it???

The other book - which I have read several times - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - A Year of Food Life, by Barbara Kingsolver.

This is a true story of her family that moved out to the country.  They made it a mission to eat only what they grew or caught on their land and what they could get locally from friends and neighbors.

Now in theory this sounds wonderful - but it would also create HUGE challenges for many.

Depending on where you live - many, many things are not local.

Coffee, tea, different grains, and many fruits and veggies.

They used chicory for coffee.  Different herbs instead of teas.  The grains and flours they could get were just what was produced locally.  They made cheese and butter.  They made any goodies or breads.  They experimented a lot.  They only ate local produce - yes, they did try to preserve much for days when it wouldn't be fresh.  No fruits like pineapple, oranges or bananas - they didn't grow there.  All meat was locally raised, as well as milk and eggs.

I can't remember if they had things like baking powder or soda, salt and pepper, etc.

This challenge would be much harder for me to do than the first one.

Living in the city, there is a lot of stuff everywhere - but it is not fresh and local.  Now during part of the year there are the farm markets - which one could visit and utilize in every way possible.  Once winter hits in my area - you would be without a lot of stuff.

Some rural areas would be much easier to realize this.  It would still be difficult, I would think.  I mean, this girl loves her citrus during the winter months when it is cheaper!  There is no local citrus.

I am not a coffee drinker - but I do like tea now and then.  Herbs just don't cut it for me as a tea.  I will mix them in - but I don't like them alone.

Both were very interesting reads and great challenges to take "in part".  The first would be easier for me.  The second one - well - that would be very hard for me.  I DO try to buy as much local as possible - but if you really stop and think - there is much that we get that is in no way local!

Some people do versions of the second one - by buying within a 50 mile radius of home or a 100 mile radius.  But even then - there is much we would do without.

What do you think?  Could you do either one?  Would one be easier than the other?

If interested in how they did it - pick up the books at the library.  They are interesting for sure.

Simplicity and Frugality - It Isn't Just About Money

 People think that we are frugal and live a more simple type of life, because of money.  That may be a bit of it, but for me, it is so much more.  

I realized that in rare form yesterday morning.  I was sitting out on the front porch, very early in the day.  It was soooooo quiet.  Very unusual for my neighborhood.  Being a holiday, I heard no traffic noise, no dogs were barking, there were no sirens or planes and no trains (I do love the sound of the trains).  All I heard was crickets and birds chirping.  There was a cool breeze.  The bestest morning!!!!

That is part of the simple life.

I didn't need to go any where to have a lovely day - I just enjoyed the quiet and then I enjoyed my kitties and going out and picking 'grow'ceries!  Later on, I watched new neighbors a couple doors down, having a volleyball game with the young-ins and grilling (oh the smell!).  I talked with neighbors later in the day.

SIMPLE living.

I think we live our best life when we live a simpler life.  When we finally have our debts paid off and can just live a little free-er.

Not having to rush and hurry all the time.  Just living - that is wonderful.  We all did the hurry up and wait thing for years.  Worked, and saved and tried to pay off debt - when you finally get that chance to slow down - you need to just enjoy it!

It is about having less to me.  The less you have, the less you have to take care of.  Less cleaning, sorting, moving.  Less heating and cooling.  Less upkeep.

It is about taking better care of the environment.  Learning how to use what we have in new ways and recycle things.  It is about putting less in our land-fills.  It is about being mindful about all the land and all of nature.

Being creative is worth so much more than throwing money at things.  The satisfaction one gets is wonderful!

It's about working together on projects and putting our minds together to figure things out.  I miss that part - G and I did that often.  Work with your partner, and know that great minds CAN work together!

It is nice to look back on.

It is about learning new skills.  Life should be about learning, every day.  We are never too old to learn new things and new tricks.  Expand your skills and then you will realize that there isn't much that you CAN'T do!!!

I think it all has to do with less dependence on others.  Being able to live life and depend only on yourself (as much as reasonably possible) is huge.  The world has become a place that it is very difficult to depend on others, sadly.  We must learn to be dependent and capable of many things.

It is about living and eating healthy.  Using what we grow.  Cooking from scratch.  Learning how to use herbs and plants for health.  Knowing that we can maintain good health without so many chemicals being put in our bodies.

It is about not giving a rat's 'ars' what others think about what you do or what you have!  Just being you and living within YOUR means - not how others think you should live.  If others don't like my house, my neighborhood, my vehicle, my choices - I DON'T CARE!  I live this life for me.

It is about choices.  Having the choice to do or not to do.  To have or not to have.  To visit or not to visit.  It is about living the way you choose.  YOU!  You can take a trip if so desired.  You can get new furniture if so desired.  You can have a dinner out if so desired.  Being free of debt, allows you to have freedom to do what you choose to do.

All in all - I think living a simple and frugal life is about truly LIVING.  It makes life a little more enjoyable.  It makes me more considerate of others.  It helps me understand what others may be going through.  It lets me help others in need.  It lets me enjoy all the beauty in nature.  It allows us to simply enjoy the simpler things.  We don't have to be entertained - we know how to do that ourselves.

It is about truly LIVING!!!!

Have you realized a simple and frugal life is better?  Have you learned and appreciated this more as you age?  What is it all about to you?

Have a great and simple day my friends!!!!!

Weekly Wrap-Up 9/4

 Happy first Sunday in September.  My, how time flies!!!!

We have been getting rain and muggy feeling days.  The temps are supposed to be in the lower 80's this week, but I do believe the muggy factor sticks around as well as the rain chances.

It is Labor Day weekend, here in the U.S.  I hope you all have a nice weekend.

It is just another day for me - no plans at all.

It has been quite a week.  It has been emotional and stressful - so yesterday, I just took the day OFF!  I did nothing much at all, but lay around, nap, and read.  I needed that.

This week:

• I took Momma to be cremated on Monday and got to pick her up on Friday.  (sigh)
• I did some straightening in the garage and emptied the trash bin from there
• Washed all the cat bedding from the greenhouse
• I went to the feed store, bank and Lowes on an outing.  I got the paint needed for my neighbor to paint my shutters.
• Ordered a total of 16 Free C-19 (2 orders) test strips (in case others need)
• Went to an out-of-town funeral with bro and SIL.  Huge step for me to go out of town.
• We stopped at the Mennonite store on the way back.  It was fun looking around.  I didn't need anything much, so spent very little.  I did buy a back of clear jell, powdered buttermilk, dehydrated marshmallows (for Christmas project), and fried peas (I love them).  I also got some Mennonite/Amish noodles.

• I have been battling gnats/fruit flies/drain gnats - whatever you call them.  Nothing has helped much.  I put salt, baking soda and vinegar down all the drains and closed them off for a while.  Then rinsed well - it helped tremendously!!!!  I still have some, but no where the problem I had.
• Mowed and trimmed and did a big clean-up at the back fence row (in wild flower bed behind garden)
• Harvesting - eating and freezing
• I went around the entire base of the house and stuffed steel wool in any and every crack or space I saw in the cement block (basement wall/foundation).  Getting ready to ward off ANY chance of mice getting in.  Never had a problem and don't want one now.  It is the season!
• Received 12 coupons from Kroger in the mail for $ savings.
• I did run to Kroger one day - I was in the mood for corn on the cob and it was on sale.  I got a few more 1/2 lb. cheese packs for 1.49 ea., bread, and smoked sausage for the freezer - 14 oz. for 2.49.

Meals this past week:

Ramen soup and 2 peaches

Baked beans, hot dogs and tomatoes

Chopped steak, leftover beans and side salad

Just picked all day - also had a bowl of popcorn 

Taco salad

Chili/cheese dogs and corn chips

Beef tips and corn on cob

What a week!  I guess this was a good reminder that we have strength and fortitude for all things.  God has the sun rise each morning and a new day begins.  Prayers for you all that any problems you are facing, that you hand them to God for His strength and wisdom.

What has your week been like?  Any deals?  Gardening? Fall cleaning?  Look forward to hearing from each of you.

Prayers you all have a safe and healthy week.

Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.

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

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.  Take heed to the path of your feet, then all your ways will be sure.

Proverbs 4:25-26

Lord, Help us each to live as we should.  To be kind and good and thoughtful.  May we always follow the right path and live according to Your will.  Thank You for each and every new day.  Amen

Some Thoughts for the Week

 Well, here we are - in September!!!!  We have now entered the 'ber' (brrr) months!!!!!  Cool weather will be here in no time.

This week has been full of heartfelt moments for me.  I lost my oldest sweet kitty.  I lost my former brother-in-law.  I went to a funeral - and as usually happens - had a family reunion of sorts.  I ventured further from home than I have in close to a decade. (no lie).

I never got too far away when Glen was here - as I needed to be close in case he needed help.  I never drove anywhere more than 20 minutes away for ages and ages.  I really thought I would get past that after his passing - well, it got worse.  I didn't drive to the funeral (still not that brave) - but my brother and SIL took me and this was 80 miles from home.  Major anxiety for me!!  Then part of the way driving south, there was tremendous road work and construction, and everything was soooooo different - oh my, was I anxious.  BUT I DID IT!  Big step for this girl!  

This probably sounds silly to most people - but we each have our loads to carry and this is mine.

We all have to start somewhere, and we all take baby steps - but eventually we move forward a little at a time.

I got to see nieces and nephews I only see about once a year - and some I haven't seen in years.  We talked, we laughed, we cried, we hugged, and we all made sure to tell each other how much we loved one another.  

My former brother-in-law had remarried and had another child.  I was amazed that when this sweet lady wrote his obituary, she listed my sister as preceding him in death.  My sister's kids were listed as children (not step).  She had picture boards all around the room that included pictures of 'her' husband and my sis at their wedding and pictures of all of us when we had been visiting.  I told her I was so very impressed by that action, and that it meant so much.  Her response - "You all were part of his life - why would I not?"  WOW.  I do not know that I could be that big of a person.  She has always embraced all of us, and been so kind and pleasant - we were always welcomed in her home.  She and I are friends on FB,

Quite the lady with a huge heart.

I was also pleased to find out that R just recently saved.  I know not everyone holds my beliefs and that is fine - but for me that was a tremendous worry taken carry of.  I now feel comfortable that he is with God.

It was wonderful seeing family and spending the day with my brother and SIL.  I got to go back into a part of the state I haven't seen in ages and so enjoyed seeing all the beauty.  Beautiful fields, farm houses, rolling hills, and open spaces.  AND QUIET!  Standing in the funeral home parking lot - was in the middle of this tiny town - and you heard nothing!  No sirens, no planes, no traffic, no loud music, etc.  What a difference from here.  I could get used to that peace.

It was nice to have a few moments to just listen to the quiet on a beautiful clear day.  We get so used to noise - that I think we sometimes forget how wonderful the quiet can be.  Bliss!

So, I guess my message here is - out of all bad things, something good will come.

I lost my precious kitty - but I have her in my heart and I know she chose me years ago.  I got to have many wonderful years with her.

I lost a family member and friend - but I got to bond with other family, I learned R is in God's hands now, I moved myself forward 'a little', and I got to enjoy some of God's beauty in the country again.

Yes - there was bad - and yes, there was good.

Life is a balance.

Here we are ready to embrace another new month.  I pray it is a good month for all.  I hope you all embrace each moment and make them wonderful.

Grab ahold of every hug, kiss, laugh, and good moment put in front of you - grab them and hold on.  Cherish them.  Remember them.  

Life can be hurtful - but it is still BEAUTIFUL!

Blessings my friends!