Making Home

 Good morning to all.  Hope this finds you all well and safe.  It sounds as those who have been having family difficulties are having some luck and calm at the moment - that is great.  May it continue.

Today is a short post about keeping a calm and clean home.  Now before I start, I know there are those who cannot clean themselves (due to various circumstances) and must pay or enlist others to come in and clean.  That is fine and dandy.  We each have to do what is right and good for us.

This post is more of a guideline to those just starting to make a home or those who need a little guidance.  Please don't make anyone feel guilty for that they do or don't do.

(click on pic to enlarge for easier reading)

I really like this list.  I do most of columns one and two on a daily or weekly basis.  I work on columns three and four - but there is always work to be accomplished there!  It is an ongoing task for me.

I feel so much better when the bed is made daily, there are no dishes left in the sink, and nothing left laying around.  It just makes me feel the home looks 'clean' whether it is or not!  

I dust and sweep and mop regularly, take out trash and try to keep the laundry kept up.

These are just basics - that tend to make the home always feel 'straight' and 'clean'.

If you get something out or use something - put it back when done.  Don't just lay it down and walk off.  Those things mount up to a lot of things in no time whatsoever.

According to the chart above - the 3rd and 4th columns - are more of deep cleaning.  Cleaning windows and mirrors and appliances.  Just take a moment when you see a splash or something and wipe it down.  It just takes a second!

My pantry and freezer - well, those are always works in progress.  It is nice to at least clean and straighten and see what you have every few months.  I must admit I only launder window coverings a couple times a year.

I do try to clean out the frig every couple weeks.  This is when it is handy to have a "use it up" shelf in the frig.  Place all those items needed to be used together and they don't get lost.

It costs NOTHING for MOST of us to have a tidy home.  Just take a few moments out of your day to straighten and wipe down and put away.  The 15 minutes plan works great - clean or straighten for 15 minutes - then go do whatever.  Come back and do another 15 minutes - it does keep one from getting tired or bored with the work.

Trust me - a clean and tidy home can change an attitude about other things.  You walk in and see things nice - life feels a bit calmer.  That helps you in other avenues of life as well.

It may sound old fashioned - well, that is me.  I teach and promote many of the older ways, they were good and still are.  

Have fun with this - get others involved.  Have the kiddos put up their toys, hopefully hubs/partner will do the same.  After a while I think people just realize how calming and lovely an uncluttered and straightened life is.

Have a wonderful day.

REMINDER

My mission is to promote the older ways of living and to lead others to a simpler and somewhat frugal lifestyle.  If this isn't for you, please let us that do - enjoy ourselves.  We do not need to defend or explain ourselves to others.  Thank you for following along and for your 'positive' ideas.

Weekly Wrap Up 2/11

 Hello to all on this Sunday.  Hoping this finds you well and safe.

We had a lovely week in my area.  Quite lovely.  Friday, we set a record by hitting 66*F as a high.  This morning is back to seasonal temps!  Looks like it will be seasonable all week, even a mention of the S word!  Nothing much - but it is still that time of the year, so anything can be expected.

It seems it might be mating season for many animals.  I watch the squirrels getting all frisky.  The stray cats seem to be in season - or acting as so.  Even the birds - the doves and robins are chasing each other all over the yard!  The season of love!

The chickens appear to be no more.  Not sure if they met their end by a neighbor, or if Animal Control finally got involved.  But they are gone!  I really hope they are safe now.

Not a lot going on again.  Kind of quiet still.  Just enjoying seeing sunshine this week - what a treat that was.

• I got out and did a little yard clean-up.  Raking some and bagging.  Just basics (felt good)
• Cut my hair and did a root touch-up at home
• Aired the house on many days!
• Paid everything I had here
• Froze some bananas for future use
• Found a paper shred event that will be taking place on Mar.9 - right up the road.  I am thrilled, I have so many boxes of things to get shredded
• Made a quick run to Kroger for cukes and toms.  I also got a GC for a wedding shower coming up soon.
• Made a small batch of orange chocolate chip cookies.  YUM
• Eating from home and cooking from scratch
• More decluttering (sorting more paperwork)
• Cleaning and doing all the normal stuff

Meals this past week:

Baked potato topped with cheese, pulled pork (freezer), sour cream and a side of hardboiled egg

Bacon, egg sandwich - side salad

Tuna patty, mac n cheese, fresh veggies

Mexican skillet dinner (gr. beef, corn, beans, taco seasoning)

Mexican flat wraps (using above)

Stir fry veggies & chicken over spaghetti noodles

Crispy air fried chicken strips and slaw

SNACKS:  nuts, fruit, popcorn

                                      Mex. flat wrap - grilled w/cheese and topped with ranch dressing.

How was your week?  Did you get any projects done?  Any great deals purchased?  Spring cleaning yet?

I hope all that are experiencing illness and family problems are well.  Prayers of healing for all.

I look forward to hearing about your week.

May your week ahead be happy, healthy and safe.

Blessings to you and yours from my humble little home.

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The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the Lord is clean. enduring for ever;

the ordinances of the Lord are true. and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

sweeter than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalms 19:7-10

Thank you, Lord, for every blessing we receive every day.  We lift our worries and sorrows to You. Please cleanse our hearts and souls.

AMEN

Just for Smiles!

 Today looks to be a pretty day in my parts.  I hope you all have a good and safe day.

Todays post is all about smiles and joy.  First of the year for no budgets, money, groceries, recipes, tips or controversy - just smiles.

Updates today on Blackie and Bits.

They have both settled in nicely to house living.  I know I am thankful they are inside.  I see so many new stray cats outdoors, and I can only imagine the fights and wonderings that might have been.  Theses guys are safe with mom!

Blackie (Buddy, Boo) is just settled.  He eats and sleeps and plays with Bits until he has 'had enough'!  He is older, so it gets old quickly.  He loves to come and cuddle with me on the couch now and he loves sleeping in bed.  Loves belly rubs now.  He looks outside at the windows now and then - but shows absolutely no desire to go out.  Amazing to me.  He still seems to be healing from his surgery - I see little differences each day. 

Lil Bit (Bits, Bitsy) is growing like a weed.  I figure we are about 5 or 6 months old.  Feisty little fart!  He loves to play and play some more.  Can run through the house like the wind.  Plays with anything loose and soft and tears it up!!  (including mom's bath scrubby).  Loves to place toys in the water bowl to give them baths - LOL.

He has suddenly decided getting under mom's covers is fun.  He gets all cozy and quiet and then out of nowhere - attacks mom's bum!!!  Talks and chatters ALL the time.  He loves looking out at the birds and squirrels.

Watching the backyard world of birdies and squirrels.  The clothes hamper top is his favorite spot.

                                    Chilling out together.  They really do get along so well.

                                        Blackie looking for a moment of alone time and quiet!

                                        That didn't last long.  Bits loves being with his buddy!

                                                                        Being cute!

                                                 Life can be exhausting - it really can.

They are just the sweetest babies.  I am so happy to have them in here with me.  They give me immense joy, lots of smiles and laughs, and tons of love.

Click on any picture to enlarge.  They are just sooooooo stinking cute!

So, there you be.  My 'just for smiles' post of the year to date. 

Have a great day to everyone!

SMILE

Game Day - Weekend Treats From Home

 Howdy all.  Hope this finds you all well.  Today looks to be a good day here - probably the best of the week.  After the weekend, it looks like it will cool a bit here again.  Winter is not over - and it is sure showing itself in some northern areas!!!  YIKES - hope all are safe.

Four more days and it will be Super Bowl Day.  I know a lot of people watch and celebrate - not me anymore.  Not that I ever did - but G enjoyed watching.  Of course, we always had to have certain things on those special days.  I was looking back of old posts when I saw one in 2016 about buying wings for .39/lb. for G.  LOL - wow, wouldn't those prices be lovely again?  Now wings are about the most expensive piece of chicken you can buy.

There are lots of fun treats and goodies that can be made at home with what you have on hand.  They can be special for just those special days, or they can be yummies for any day!

Hope you find an idea you can use.

First don't forget about easy things.  Deviled eggs, veggie trays with whatever you have on hand, cheese and crackers, maybe make some meatballs or cut up some wienies and add BBQ sauce, chili and crackers, baked beans, mac n cheese, burgers (sliders are fun), wings if you have them (or any chicken), etc.  There are tons of easy goodies to make and just stay in that budget and use what you have.

FRIED RICE BOWL

Click on recipe to enlarge for better reading

Super easy and fun.  Just something a little different for a meal.  Most everyone will have ingredients on hand - or you can substitute what you have!

Makes a great meal as well for those busy days!

CORN BEAN SALSA

Click on recipe to enlarge for better reading.

Super easy to make and it tastes so good and fresh.  Eat with chips or tortillas or crackers.  You can use canned chopped tomato is no fresh.  No black beans - use kidney or whatever you have.

Refrigerate - so yummy cold!

TAILGATE DIP

Click on recipe to enlarge for easier reading

You can cut down the amount of ground beef and sausage if desired.  You could also use ground chicken or turkey.  Use what you have. Add a cup of salsa (or spicy tomatoes) and some cheese - heat and eat!

I love this dip - one of my favorites.  Serve with crackers, chips or tortillas or pita or even toasted bread pieces.

Another thing I have had as a meal with a salad!!!!!!

CRAB DIP

Click on recipe to enlarge for easy reading

This may take a purchase or two.  I always have faux crab meat in the freezer - I know not everyone does.  I often don't have a round loaf of bread.  I mix up the ingredients and bake it up.  I leave it in the bowl and serve with crackers or toasted bread or French bread chunks.  Whatever I have.

Now it is pretty for presentation in a bread bowl as stated - but you don't have to do that.

I have had this for dinner with a side of fresh veggie or salad!!!

Remember none of these have to be followed word for word - use what you have and improvise.  You may come up with a new family favorite.

Another idea - go and clean out the freezer (especially deep freezer) and see what odds and ends you have hiding in there.  Get them out and get creative with them for your fun game treat/meal.

USE IT UP!  

Keep it inexpensive and have fun!!!!!

Have a great day and be safe.

When a Little Becomes a Lot

 Good morning on this Tuesday.  Hope you are all well.

Today is just a little reminder that a little can be a lot.  It is true in so many instances - but this one is a big one for sure.

Yep - get that calculator out and do the numbers.  I did!  It is so very true.

People don't realize how fast things add up.  

$27.40 a day - could be meals out (on the low end), coffees, cigarettes, bar visits, junk food, lotto tickets, thrift shopping, daily store visits, you name it.  It's your money and you can do what you want with it - but when you do - you need to realize WHAT you are really spending!!!!!

$10,000 is a lot of money.  That can pay off debt, pay off a home early, save for the future or emergencies, it could be invested, you name it.  I think in most people's books that is a chunk of change.

Now you add in things like interest fees, late payments, wasting food and trashing it, not taking care of your possessions, etc. and the money just keeps racking up!

I have a neighbor that does a big grocery shop every Saturday - and then goes to the store absolutely every day and brings home at least 2 bags of stuff!!!!  That is surely $27.40.  They also gamble on things a lot.  He smokes like a chimney.  Both work jobs that pay a good salary and well - they live in my neighborhood.  I know what they pay for rent - most people would be happy to pay it.  They even have a roommate to help with expenses!   They have had to sale things, because they can't afford them.  They are a fine example of what excessive spending looks like (they are about my age).  All I can do is shake my head.

Years ago, we wrote down & logged absolutely every penny we spent.  EVERY!  It was eye opening how much money got spent on frivolous things.  We sure curbed back on our "wants" and that is when we really started to save $.

Be a good steward of what you have.

Pennies do make dollars and dollars CAN and WILL make a huge difference in your life.

Stop and think about all those littles buys - they can make a big difference in your funds.

Have a wonderful day!

Weekly Wrap Up 2/4

 Hello all.  Hope this finds you well and safe.  It is amazing how quickly Sunday seems to come around!  I know it is seven days - but boy they do fly by.

Well, it appears the big rodent saw his shadow this week!  Spring is around the corner?  We will see, it will get here whenever it is supposed to.  Meteorologist or rodent - I don't put much stock in either one!

We are supposed to have a mild upcoming week here.  50's and some sun.  We had sun yesterday and boy was that a pretty sight to see.

We get an extra day this month - it's leap year!

I had several different woodpeckers out there this week, and there were more robins.

I even looked out the living room window and saw chickens!  Geesh one day they were on the front porch.  I have stopped putting birdseed out front for now.  They haven't figured how to get in the back yard - as they just walk around the block!  These chickens need to stay home.

This is technically the neighbor's yard - but right outside my window.

This week was kind of quiet again.

• Did some more decluttering - it is an ongoing process
• General cleaning
• All the laundry
• I ran out one day to Fresh Thyme Market and restocked my natural supplements.  I also got myself 2 sweet onions, 4 bananas, and some cocktail tomatoes.  Oh, and a couple fresh tamales!  I looked around the entire store (it has been a while since there) and just enjoyed the morning. Talked to several other customers.
• I then stopped at a place that has been around a short while called Circle City Bargains - it has a bit of this and that.  Fresh produce at super prices, snack foods, and even some furniture and yard and garden tools of all kinds - really discounted prices!  I ended up with 2 jars of cashews (19 oz.) each for $3!!!

Not even close to best by date.  Very tasty for a snack.  They are so good.

•  Then stopped at a newer Hispanic market on my way home to look around.  Bought nothing - but it was fun to look & listen to the music!
• Used up a small bit of mushrooms I had in taco meat, and used up a bit of onion left and some leftover rice in same
• Froze leftovers that I did not eat this week
• Got a little fresh air in the house on Saturday!
• Just doing all the regular stuff we all do.
• All meals from home

Meals this past week:

Tamales and rice

Pulled pork (freezer) sliders, fresh veggies and hardboiled egg

Chili (freezer) cheese dogs and small salad

Chopped steak with sauteed mushrooms and peppers, long grain rice and fresh veggies

Leftover rice w/Aminos (like soy sauce) and salad with egg 

Loaded nachos  (had no chips - so I roasted a couple tostada shells and broke them up)

Cup of cheesy broccoli soup (freezer) and grilled ham & cheese sandwich

SNACKS:  fruit, nuts, and cheese & crackers

How was your week?  What did you all accomplish this past week?  I think we are all getting anxious for spring - I know I am.  But, like mom used to say, "just wishing your life away"!!  LOL  

My mind is wondering on spring things though.

Any great deals this week?

I hope this finds each and everyone of you well and safe.  I hope all things family are going better for many of you with problems.  I wish you all a wonderful week.

Blessings to you and yours from my humble little home.

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

Lord, we do thank You for being our stable rock.  We know we always have You with us.  Help us each one to lift our problems to You.  Amen

Convenience - Deliberate Choices

 Good morning and happy February!  Hoping for a bit more sunshine this month!  January was sure a dreary month in my area.  Sun makes so much of a difference.  It is shining here at the moment!  YAY

Just a couple things to think about today.  We all love convenience!!  Yes, we all do.  BUT, it costs a lot of extra money, and truth be known, most of the convenience foods are not good for us.  There are so many extra 'ingredients' in them.

I understand there will be people who say "I work", I have a big family", "I am just too busy" to cook from scratch at home - "I need those convenience foods".  NOT REALLY!

Stop and think about this realistically.

You PAY for every process to get that food into your home.

Raising the food (feeding and caring for), your pay for picking or slaughter, you pay for the processing plants, the travel to get it there, you pay for packaging, turning food ino meals or chopping or cutting, you pay for travel again to the stores and you pay for the store and its employees and upkeep!  Maybe you have it delivered - I bet you pay for that too!  So many steps that you pay for.

Not a thing in this picture that can't be made from scratch with wholesome ingredients.  I see the words "Healthy Choice" and have to laugh.

Mixed veggies and meat, mac n cheese, oriental cooking, chicken bites, lasagna, etc. - easy to do at home.

Have you looked at the price of frozen lasagna at the store?  Oh my goodness, it costs a fortune.  Sure it is easy - take it out of the box and place in oven.  It tastes nothing like homemade and it has so many preservatives in it!

These small size convenient dinners cost hefty dollars.  Most all is just so easy to do yourself.

OK, for those saying no time or it will cost more.  Well, take an evening or a weekend morning or afternoon, and do some batch cooking.  Place meals into containers and freeze for later.  

NO it doesn't have to cost more.  EX; lasagna.  You don't have to buy a lot of fancy ingredients - pasta not that expensive, spaghetti sauce, grnd. beef or sausage (or no meat), cheese on sale (cottage cheese works great - coming from a person who will not eat cottage cheese plain).  Easy-peasy.

Buy chicken on sale - cut into pieces and bread and fry.  Makes great nuggets or tenders.  You get a lot more for your money.  Stir fry or oriental - use up leftover veggies and meat add some seasoning sauce and serve over homemade rice.

Mac n cheese - cheap pasta and whatever cheese you have from sales!  Nothing like homemade mac/cheese.

Waffles, pancakes - so super easy.  make and pack into baggies for easy and quick meals.  Breakfast sandwiches - make your own and bag into the freezer.

Veggies and rice or pasta maybe with cream sauce or cheese - super easy to do yourself.

Shred your own cheese - it is fresher that way and no added fillers to keep it from clumping.

Use up leftovers in some new way.

**Have a shelf in your frig. that is an "eat me first" shelf!!!!  Those bits and bobs of leftovers or small pieces of fruit or veggies - anything that needs to be used up in a hurry.  This way you are not wasting food (money).

I BUY ingredients!!!!  That is what you should do as well.  With ingredients you can make ANYTHING - and it is cheaper and healthier.  

Another benefit is less packaging!!!!  By the time you get those fancy meals you have tons of packaging that is just going into the trash.

Buy fresh when possible - look for markdowns at the store.

Buy or make sauces or soups.  

Think about growing something this year - something!!!!!!  It all helps.

In my opinion living the greenest lifestyle combines using something that already exists, in it's simplest form.  It is healthier and less expensive.  This goes with most things - not just food.

If we all found new uses for the things that already exist - it would stop a lot of manufacturing of new things - that leaves an industrial mess behind it.

So, start buying ingredients and making your own 'freezer' and 'fast' food!  It will help you in so many ways.

Hope this advice gives some of you a new idea or two.

Have a great day!