A Little More Assistance in the Kitchen - Mastering Your Pantry

 Good morning and happy Wednesday to all.  A little cooler this morning, in the 40's.  Bright and cheery looking outdoors and it will be a lovely day again.

This morning there were 2 red-winged black birds and the newest one to show up had a ton of red on its wings.  I bet it is a male.  Their song is just so neat, very distinct from all the other birds.  Gosh I love the morning songs.  I wish I had a recorder, so I could record and post.  I would love you to hear what I hear every morning and a lot of the day!

Today, just a few more kitchen ideas to maybe saving a little money.  Make it yourself and subbing when there is a need.  We all need new ideas for making yummy things for our kitchens and our families.  Hoping this helps someone save a little and have fun.

Pretty darn simple.  No need to go buy an expensive bottle.  It always seemed I would buy a bottle and use it so rarely, that if would just get funky.  This works for smaller batches.

Great subs. The syrup - I keep a little bottle of maple flavoring on hand to add to the flavor.  These work great to keep you from making that extra run out to the grocery.  Use what you have.

Be a master of your pantry!!!!!

Click on these separately to enlarge for easier reading.  

Just a simple way to make homemade ketchup.  Not like most canning recipes that contain dozens of items and takes hours.  This tastes really good.  Uses normal at home pantry items, doesn't take a lot of time, win-win.

Love me some homemade sloppy Joe.  No need to buy the bottles of sauce.  One of the easiest things to make.  I also add a splash of Worcestershire Sauce - gives it a bit of a zip!

Easy-peasy ideas.  Hope these help someone out a little.  New homemakers need to find easy ideas to stretch those dollars.  There isn't always a mom available to answer questions.  Let us by the mom to them and whomever might need a good idea or two.

If you have an easy tip - drop us a note!

Have a beautiful day my friends.

Getting By and Getting Ready

 Happy Tuesday to all.  I sure hope this finds you all well and safe.

It is a lovely morning here today.  Woke to 50*.  Yesterday was gorgeous.  I worked on some spring projects that I wanted done.  More of the same today.

Sitting here listening to the birds sing.  I have a feeder on the front porch and the birdies just sing out there.  It is great kitty "TV" as well.  Out back I have all kinds of birds, but in the front it is mainly the little fellows and of course robins in the yard.

The chickens two doors down have sure been enjoying being outside most of the day!  This isn't them (not my pic), but they roam all over the yard.  There are 2 black ones, 2 brown ones, and 2 that look to be a combo of black/white.  They have a young dog as well, and he acts like a herder - lol!  It is fun to watch.

Yesterday was a beautiful day.  I got some work done.  Spring is in the air, and I am ready.  

I got the two security door windows cleaned inside and out.  What a lovely difference it makes.  The front door is a toughie to do, as it is one solid window from top to bottom and you have to take it out to clean the outside.  The doors have a lot of wrought iron fretted work on them - and you can't clean around it.  But I did it!  My back was screaming at me - but that is part of spring.

They just look so good.  Noone else would probably notice but I do!!!  

That is the thing - do things for yourself!!!!  You don't have to care what others think when it comes to your place - do you!  Do what makes you happy.  Do what brings you joy.

I had this piece from a broken car window cleaner in the Blazer.  I got it out, cleaned it with a little vinegar - and used it on my windows!  I just held it in my hand.  I am sure somewhere in the garage there is a handle that will fit it (I will look) - but yesterday it worked great to clean big windows!

Being a beautiful day - it was a line drying kind of day!  I have a clothesline still in my yard.  I need to re-line it this year.  I have everything to do it.  I think I have the only actual clothesline left in the neighborhood!!!  Seriously.  Other improvise though.  I love their ingenuity.  A couple of younger couples do what they can to use the great outdoors and the free air!

2 doors down.  (the chicken house).  She hung the little ones clothes out to dry the best way she could.

 

This was taken a couple years ago - 2 doors over the other direction.  You do what you can with what you have!!!!!  She still does this with towels, covers and jeans.

I got these solar lights at Christmas as a gift.  After cleaning the front flower bed this week, they will be going out there!  There is a hummingbird, a dragon fly and a flower.  I bet they will be so pretty lit!  I got a huge decorative pot for Christmas as well - that will soon make its way to the porch.  It will be filled with some pretties for sure.  It is fun to get these things out that have just been stored for a while.

After cleaning the doors, I put out my spring door decor.  It always looks so cheery.

I also got the bedroom windows cleaned yesterday.  Today I will be working on all others.  That is a job, but it makes me so happy when done.  I just love a CLEAR view!  I also washed the screens down too with a wet and soapy rag - then rinsed with the dampened rag.

Airing out the house makes me happy as well!!!!!  I can't tell you how happy that makes me.  I just love fresh air.

There are so many things you can do to spruce up things and they don't have to cost a cent!  Just washing down the house with a hose or cleaning the windows, makes a huge difference.  Wash the windows and screens and the window coverings.  Change out the bed coverings or add a cheery afghan or pillow.   Little things can just make you go "aaaaahhhhhh".

I wish more of my neighbors would 'pretty up" their yards - but I can't control that.  As long as they keep things mowed and trimmed, I am glad.  I just love doing all the little things - to me it makes a house a home!

I know you gals up north in Canada are still in the deep freeze.  I saw a map yesterday showing weather - and dang gals - you aren't catching a break!  It is lovely down this way for now.

I hope all of you that can - get out and do something to enjoy this fresh air and sunshine and warmth.  Get that free vitamin D!!!!

Like I said above - do things that make you happy!  Get creative and have fun with your home and yard.  It doesn't have to cost a penny if you don't want it to.

Enjoy this day you were gifted!!!!!!

Weekly Wrap-Up Date 3/9

 Happy Sunday to all.  I hope this finds everyone safe and healthy.  There is still much in the way of weather, that is causing problems for people.

It is a lovely morning here, after a pretty day yesterday.  Still a little on the cooler side - but it appears that will be ending this week.  It looks to be such a nice week - I am ready to get outside for a bit.

First, I saw a robin, then two - now bunches.  In just a day or so, lots and lots of robins have shown up.  Always a good sign in my book.

This morning outside I heard the distinctive calls of Big Red, the woodpecker and the bluejays.  All the other birds were happily singing.  Music to my ears.

I hope all that needed to, changed their clocks!!!!  I had a little harder time getting up this morning - not sure which time I wanted to follow!!  LOL

Nothing much exciting happening this week.

My frugal week:

• I froze several bowls of leftovers for use at another time
• My neighbor brought me a new yard flag as a gift - a pretty Easter one
• Made my own homemade 'Spanish' type rice
• Got to air the house a couple times 
• Visits with sis
• I did stop at Kroger after a sis visit and got fresh fruit and some veggies (on sale) and just a little stock up of other things - should be all I need for March + longer
• I also stopped at the thrift store.  They have really rearranged it, and it looked so much nicer.  I didn't find a thing I needed, but they did gift me with a bag of sourdough bagels.  Everyone got a bread just for going in
• I have been working on spring cleaning daily
• Lots of laundry - sprucing up
• Using what I have and eating all meals at home and using leftovers in new ways

See, nothing exciting at all.  I do look forward to this coming week, as there will be open windows daily, and most likely no heat needed.  It is to be near or above 70*F all week!

I look forward to working outside and cleaning things up a bit.  So ready for spring.

Meals this past week:

Lasagna soup and garlic toast

Chicken and dumplings, green beans

Spanish type rice w/beans added and ground beef - made into 2 burritos (froze the remainder)

Tortilla pizza and salad

Corn/garbanzo beans/pepper/onions fried together topped with bacon

Omelet with leftover veggies (from above) added

Chicken tenders and salad

Just snacking on fresh items I have on hand

How has your week been?  Are you getting warmer temps or are you still in the deep freeze?  I hope none of you are near the fires out East.

Did anyone get any special deals this week?

Check in and let us know that things are OK with you.  

Prayers for all - that you are safe and healthy.  I know there are many who are quietly going through things (alone) and could sure use our prayers.  We just never know the trauma that another endures - so it is always RIGHT to be kind and have kind words.  Concentrate on the things you can actually do something about and realize that life is full of other things that just are.  We will endure and get through it all in some way or another.  

Be kind, be joyful and be helpful.

Prayers for you and yours from me at my humble little home.

Blessings to all.

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Dear Lord, we come to You in thanks on this beautiful day You have given us.  We also send prayers for those that are hurting and going through unspoken issues.  Give us each and every one strength to get through our daily worries and calm them.  We know Your will be done, and that we must have faith.  Let us not falter in doing kindness for others and living as we know You want us to live.  AMEN

Keeping the Pantry Active - Make it!

 Happy Thursday to you all.  Hope this finds you all safe - there sure has been some nasty weather the past day or two all over the place!  Two days ago, we were near 65 - yesterday the winds were blowing (very briskly late in day), and we had rain - then sleet and flurries!  Crazy stuff.  There was a dusting on 'things' this morning, nothing on the ground.  Skies are supposed to clear today - so sunglasses will be in order.

I saw another robin this morning - that is promising.  So is the weather forecast.  70*F by Tuesday!  EEK

I sure love these little tastes of spring.

           Indeedy do!  That is how we should all feel.  Being able to live and get by is a blessing.

You may have little to some - and you may super wealthy to others.  It is all perspective.  Make yours a positive attitude and influence.

Today is just a few more idea/recipes that can be done right in your kitchen and you don't have to go out and buy something special.  No more 'one thing' runs!

I know I have shared some of these in the past, but there may be some new people who can use these, and they are just reminders for the rest of us.

As always - click on the recipe to enlarge for easier reading!

CREAMY HONEY MUSTARD

              I love this stuff.  I keep a batch on hand all the time.  It is super on salads

So easy to make and have on hand.  No more cans necessary.  You can make it into whatever type you want.  You can use beef bouillon as well. 

No more ingredients you can't pronounce.  Make you own cake mix and keep the dry ingredients in a jar on the shelf ready to go.  Bake as you would a cake mix purchased at the store.

Good to have - as many cake mixes are smaller now, and this like the original size.

STIR FRY SAUCE

You can also add spices or ginger to change it up a bit.  This makes a good basic sauce for a tasty stir fry

Just a couple ideas to help your wallet and your pantry shelves.  I love being able to just mix up something from what I have at home.  Most of my whims can be covered with the supplies in the pantry.

Use what you have and make new things.  Stop spending and start making!

Have a lovely and safe day.  Hope all are well and warm!!!

Many blessings to all.

Spring -- the Promise is Real - Gardening on my Mind

 Happy Ash Wednesday to all.  Hope all are well and safe.  

It is raining, it's pouring......no snoring - but it is kind of breezy.  Yesterday got to 6o+ degrees, I got up to 50 this morning, and tonight is to be in the 20's.  It is windy, but we have been removed from the wind advisory in my area.  Predictions say near 70 by next Tuesday!  The weather of March - it sure is unpredictable.  March brings all sorts of weather and the promise of spring.

I did get out to feed during a break in the rain, and just as I was coming in - it hit again!  Soggy for sure.  Spring rains are sure good for the growing season.

I am so ready to see colors outside!  Something besides white, gray and nasty brown and green.  I want color, I want pretty flowers, I want fresh garden veggies, I want warm weather!!

I bet most of you feel the same way.

Gardening does not have to cost an arm and a leg.  There are many things that can be done on the cheap.  MOST garden seeds are not super expensive - considering what you can reap from a plant started from a seed!  It always amazes me what a tiny, tiny seed can do.  Think of all the zucchini you get from a plant, all the tomatoes from one plant, etc.

Displays like this are popping up everywhere right now.  Flowers, veggies - so much to choose from.  Sure if you have a small garden like I do, it may be easier to just buy a few plants.  I grow some things from seed like zucchini and even cukes and lettuce (they start quickly) - but other things I buy plants.  I do NOT spend that much money on the plants.

You can make your own hanging baskets and planters - with a few small plants that will grow into lush and beautiful containers.

You can exchange seeds and plants with others.  Check with family and friends and check the neighborhood groups - you can get and barter all kinds of things.

Seek out pots and planters the same way.

You can plant things in pots if you cannot have a garden where you live (that is crazy to me).  Flowerbeds and big pots, let you extend your growing.

A good representative pic of what you can grow in pots.  I did notice the bottom right pot is mismarked!!  I think it maybe should be lettuce.

You can catch water (if allowed) and use that for your plants.  You can easily make a rain barrel - but if not - use buckets or totes under downspouts or in overflow areas.  It is amazing the gallons of water that flow off roofs.  You can compost and make some of the richest soil ever.  IF you can't - find someone who does.  You can give your scraps to them to help the pile work and maybe they will share compost.

If you grow heirloom plants - keep seed for next year and to trade.  You will always be guaranteed what you will be growing with an heirloom plant.  Other plants that have been crossed in breeding, the seed will provide you product, but with no guarantee of what it will be.  

I do let volunteer plants come up many times - and just move them to a different area.  I figure all veggies are good veggies!!!  And a FREE plant if just fine with me.

You can start many of your seeds now or soon, depending on when your growing season starts.

You can make your own fertilizers.  Banana peels soaked in water - makes a good nutrient rich water to use on plants.  Coffee and tea grounds are good for plants.  Crushed eggshells are calcium rich and good for plants as well.

Make your own concentrate that is equivalent to Miracle Gro.  Just remember the is a concentrate!  It needs to be watered down when using.

You can use old canning jar flats as plant markers, instead of throwing out.  Clean and write on them with permanent markers.  You can also use pull tab lids (like cat food) for markers as well.  Use toilet paper rolls or newspaper to make seed starting pots.  They can both be planted as is and will dissolve into the soil.  You can use newspaper as a weed barrier - or old feed bags or bulk food bags.  Use sticks as 'pins' to hold these items down.

I use scalding canning water on weeds.  Also mix vinegar and salt on weeds (not desirable plants).  Pull out what you can - it is exercise and fresh air - super IF you can physically do it.

I know we all have visions of spring in our heads!  I think most of us are so over winter and cold.

Start checking out seeds, onion starts, and ideas for gardening.  Make connections with other people who may be a help to you.  Check out free groups and neighborhood groups for pots and supplies - even tilling offers might be found.

Now is the time to start the planning!!!!

What ideas do you have to share with others?  We can sure use all the fun ideas we can get - it is all so exciting!

Stay safe and have a wonderful day.

Some Kitchen Ideas - New and Old

 Happy Fat Tuesday to all!!  Hope this finds all well and safe.  What a difference a day or two makes.  I got up to a temp of 50* this morning!  We do have rain coming in later today and tonight.  Then we cool yet again for a few days and next week there are predictions for the mid 60's.  Such is spring in the Ohio River Valley area.

I have been out to feed and the birds are just singing away.  Licorice was waiting at the back door this morning; he loves the warmer weather too.  I have already walked the alley and picked up odds and ends of trash before the trash truck comes.  Will probably do it again after.

Let us talk about little tricks and ideas for the kitchen today.  There are so many ways to make life a bit easier and tricks one can use.  I think we tend to over complicate things.  It can all be so easy, and just simplifying makes it better and cheaper.  No need to panic about anything - just breathe and carry on.

• To make self-rising flour - mix 4 cups of flour, 2 Tbsp. salt, and 2 Tbsp baking powder together.  Store tightly covered for future use.  
• It is easier to slice meat if partially frozen
• Add tomatoes to a roast when cooking, to naturally tenderize the meat.  Tomatoes contains an acid that works to break down meats
• REFERENCE - 1 pound of boneless chicken equals about 3 cups of cubed chicken
• Instant potatoes make a great thickener for soups and stews
• Adding about 3 stalks of chopped celery to a couple dry cups of beans (before cooking), helps make them a little easier to digest (adds flavor as well)
• Think about getting a small coffee bean grinder to use for spices and herbs and nuts - makes like so easy.

I have 2 of these grinders.  One is marked spicey and is used for dried peppers and any spicy item.  The other is used for dried tomato skins, nuts, etc.  I got both at different times at yard sales for $1 cash each!

Beats getting out the big old blender or processor.  Easy to clean as well.

WACKY CAKE

1 1/2 C flour

1 C sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

3 Tbsp. cocoa

1 tsp, vanilla

1 Tbsp. vinegar

6 Tbsp. melted butter

1tsp. baking soda

1 C warm water

Stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, and salt directly in a 8" layer pan.  Make 3 depressions in the dry ingredients - put vanilla in one, vinegar in one and butter in 3rd.  Pour water in pan and stir until well mixed.  Bake at 350* for 30 minutes

ICING

2/3 C brown sugar

1/2 C melted butter

small pack of coconut 

1/4 C milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Thoroughly combine and pour over warm cake.  Place under broiler until lightly browned

NO EGG CAKE!

If you have a couple apples, pears, peaches or whatever fruit you may want to use - make an equivalent to an easy-peasy pie!  Make a galette.

Cut up your fruit and season the way you want - and you use one pie crust!

It truly gets no easier than this rustic dessert.  I have made these more times than I can count.  Place your pie ingredients in the center of your 9" pie dough and then wrap up the edges around it.  I like to brush with a dab of milk and sprinkle a little sugar for a sweet crunchy exterior!  Bake until crust is golden.

OATMEAL GOOEY CAKE

(Mom made this often and I sure did love it)

1 C uncooked oats

1 1/2 C boiling water

1 C white sugar

1 C brown sugar

1 1/2 C flour

1/2 C butter (1 1/2 sticks)

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Mix oatmeal in to boiling water and let it stand about 20 minutes.  Add sugars and butter and mix until smooth.  Add all other ingredients.   Bake in a greased and floured 9 x 13 pan at 350* for 30 minutes.

TOPPING

6 -8 Tbsp. butter

1/2 brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 C coconut

1/2 C chopped pecans

Place in a pan on low heat until all is blended together.  Spread on warm top of cake

YUMMO is all I can say.  The topping is also good on top of spice cake or applesauce cake.

Another NO EGG cake!

• Add a few grains of rice (raw) to your saltshaker - to keep moisture from salt.  I have done this for years
• Fresh lemon juice will remove onion scent on hands when slicing or chopping.  I use a stainless butter knife myself.  I rub my fingers over the blade under water and the smell is gone.  ALSO - if you slice them under running water, it helps prevent tears!  OR try placing the onion in the freezer for a few minutes before cutting - that helps too
• A few drops of lemon juice in cooking rice, helps it to not stick together
• Save your store-bought bread bags - great to reuse if baking your own bread or rolls.  Also wash and dry and use to collect ice cubes for upcoming events - so you don't have to buy ice
• When needing fresh juice - one lemon yields about 1/4 C juice and one orange yields about 1/3 cup
• When shredding cheese - I want the block of cheese to be very cold - it shreds so much easily and doesn't stick to grater
• Throw a lemon drop or a hard peppermint candy into a cup of hot tea to jazz up the flavor (it helps calm a cough as well)

Feed yourself or feed your flock with things you have on hand.  Have fun and try some new things.

Use the items from your larder and your freezer and make some yummy desserts and meals.  There truly is no limitation to what you can do - just your imagination!

What are some of your favorite TIPS for simplifying your cooking and kitchen?  Stretching supplies and making something creative and yummy?

Look forward to hearing from you!

Have a blessed and beautiful day!

Weekly Wrap Up 3/2

 Happy Sunday!  Happy March!  Hope this finds all well, safe and healthy.  Can you believe it is March already?  Time is flying by.  Heck, next week - many of us have to change our clocks again (forward).  It is now meteorological spring.

This morning doesn't feel much like spring.  It is a cold and frosty morn.  We had such warm weather for a few days (60's) - this morning is in the teens.  It is to improve again this week - so the frigid feeling cold, lasts a shorter time with each rotation!  Heck yesterday, a couple times I looked out and saw flakes coming down!

I have my first red winged black bird of the season back again. So, each morning I am greeted by cardinals, bluejays and now the red wing and 'big red' (woodpecker).  So cool.

I did a walk around the yard, and there are lots of different types of lilies coming up, hyacinths, and daffodils.  There are even some red nubs at the peonies!

It won't be long!

My frugal week:

• I used a piece of older cabbage in a dish this week.  It sure did last a good while in the frig. I love getting veggies that have a long shelf life
• Got to air the house a few days
• I visited with sis 2X
• One visit with sis, after I stopped at Menards and looked around the garden section - getting in the mood and getting ideas - free entertainment
• I used the Soda Stream this week for carbonated fruit flavored water
• Changed out the bedding - comforter down (except kitty blankie) for a new look for spring
• Stopped while out at 2nd visit to sis, and got oil changed and Blazer serviced.  I knew my tires were down a bit - but man what a difference it makes in driving to be fully inflated!  LOL
• I got to the end of 2 dressing jars (I make my own), so on the ranch I added a splash of milk to stretch it, and the Italian got a splash of vinegar to stretch
• It has been very windy for a couple days - so picked up blowing trash and downed limbs
• Did a couple small repair jobs in the house
• NO grocery shopping
• Using leftovers and food from freezer and pantry
• Just all the normal stuff, cleaning and doing a little decluttering

Meals this past week:

Fried cabbage, corned beef (freezer from NY) and fried potatoes

Tuna patty, leftover rice/beans and salad

Breakfast - 3 mini pancakes (last from freezer), scrambled eggs, and ham (freezer)

Baked potato (topped with cheesy broc. soup - freezer), smoked sausage

Fried potatoes, BBQ lil smokies (freezer) and slaw (home canned)

Fried chicken legs (2), green beans fries and salad

Homemade lasagna soup

SNACKS - fruit, popcorn, milkshake, nuts

Really trying to use things from the freezer that need to rotated and used.  It is fun coming up with some new ideas.

How was your week?  Is your weather changing any - or are you still in the grips of winter?  Making plans for spring?  Any good deals this week?

I love hearing what you are all up to.  Missing many - check in please!!!

I hope you all have a super week ahead, and that this finds you all well and safe.  Hope you are beginning to enjoy signs of spring!

Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

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Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:24

Dear Lord, again we send thanks for all the blessings in our lives.  We ask that we each pass kind words, thoughts and deeds on to others.  Help us all spread positive vibes.  Guide us each one in this coming week, to live our best lives for others and for You.  Amen