Saving is Frugal All the Time!!!!

 Good morning all.  Hope this finds you all well and rested.  Seems I get later each day - the daylight hours are messing with me.  I am always up at the same time - but go out and feed later because it stays dark so long.  So I get back in later.  I guess I need to get things ready with the blog the night before!  Now there is a novel idea.

It was already in the mid 70's when I got up, going to be another hot one.  I keep reading blogs, where you are talking about frost and freeze already - oh my.  That won't be here for quite a while yet - I imagine.  Of course, it can change on a dime.

Indeedy do!!!!!  It isn't about what you have, it is about how you use what you have.

It is all about being a good steward of everything - money, food, resources, etc.  Life throws us all a lot of traps, hazards, and misfortune over our lifetimes.  Being frugal helps you get through those times with a little grace.

Being frugal is learning and knowing how cook and eat with what you have.  Getting creative.  It is about mending and fixing, instead of always replacing.  It is about making do.  It is about knowing how to stretch a dollar until it squeaks.

It is maybe gardening if you can and putting some of that food back for another day.  It is about planning and preparing for anything thrown at you.  

It truly is about SAVING!  Everyone needs to have an emergency fund - for those unexpected things.  They happen to everyone.  Car repairs, lost job, medical issues, family crisis, utilities go up, home issues, etc.

Saving is a huge part of being frugal.  It also enables you to do the things you enjoy.  Taking trips or vacations, updating furniture or a vehicle, gathering with friends.

Being frugal doesn't mean you can't do anything or go anywhere - being frugal allows you to do those things.  It allows you to enjoy life and not go broke or worry about paying the bills as well.

There is a huge difference in being cheap and being frugal.  In my opinion, cheap means cheating and taking when it isn't supposed to happen (unethical).  It means going out of your way to never participate.  It even means never looking at quality.  Or never once trying to help someone else.

I am frugal but I am not cheap.  I go out of my way to take care of nature and animals - that isn't cheap at all!!!  I donate to places I want to support.  I help others when I can.  I enjoy buying things for other people.  I don't worry about how to pay my bills.  It generally isn't about me - it is about others.  That is me - not everyone sees things the same, I know.

So remember, being frugal helps you have an enjoyable life and to be a good steward.  Being cheap makes you miserly and stingy, perhaps not doing your fair share.  Perhaps not being the most upright person.

Be good and be frugal - it truly does make life good!!!!!!!

Stay well and have a wonderful day.

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BLOGGER UPDATE

I have done research and I have filed a complaint.  I clipped some of what I found, and much of it is BS!

They claim there isn't a problem, and if there is, it is the individual's problem.   Wrong answer - NOT everyone is having the same problem with their computers all over the country/world.

WRONG ANSWER in my book.

Click on above to easier read.

I did go to the QUESTION MARK on my blog for help.  I did post the problem and asked why.  I expressed my disappointment.  The following is the responce that I have received at this point.

So one place blogger has NO problems, and another says they haven't fixed THE problem for many yet.

So darn aggravating.  Just my two cents worth!

Food & Fun Stuff in Pictures

 Hello to all this morning.  Another lovely morning.  I hope this is finding you all well and safe.  Thank you for stopping by.  Goodness, here we are halfway through another month!!!  How in the world did that happen??

It is supposed to get back up to about 90*F today - still have a few of those left.  Predicting 90* for most of the week.  Nothing cold in the near outlook.  I am not going to complain anymore - it sure beats snow and cold.

Monday was a fantastic day - it never got out of the upper 70's and it was sunny.  Allowed for much outdoor work to get done.  It felt so good to get things done, and it all looked so pretty afterwards.  I was filthy when I came in from dust (it is so dry), but I don't think I ever got sweaty.

It appears a week in - Blogger still isn't updating!!!  This really is aggravating.  I know it affects us all.  Just keep checking in - you know our days!

Today I will share some foody ideas, that were super easy to make and used what I had on hand, and then some fun kitty and other pics.

Quick and easy - summer sausage on top of creamed cheese and flatbread.  Fresh cut up veggies.  This made an easy meal and it sure was filling.  Had meat, dairy, bread, veggies and apple later on in the day!

Flatbread w/cream cheese and cheddar, sprinkled w/crumbled bacon, pepper slices, a cooked burger, tomatoes and more cheddar and then heated in air fryer.

You could do the same on a pizza crust or even a crusty bread.  Use what you have and like and make a meal of it.

(My new dishes!)

Was craving mashed potatoes - and decided to fancy them up some.  I actually used up some instant potatoes I had to make mashed - with ranch flavoring added and sour cream.  After they were ready, I added some cheese into potatoes and then topped with bacon and more cheese and heated in air fryer until golden on top.  Used a couple of mini loaf pans I had around.  They were sooooo good and made more than 2 meals worth.  It was a nice cheat and a nice bite.

Now kitties.  Pip (little momma) up in the tree getting inner bird on!!!!!  That is my roof!  She is up there.  That is the lowest limb of that tree.  She just climbed right up.  That was a first (that I had seen).

I watched her get down and she just backed down.  Needless to say - the squirrels weren't too pleased with her in their tree.

Not the clearest pic (taken through the screen).  Patches and Dusty wanted to 'play' with the squirrel!

They do chase each other around the yard - never harming.  The same can't be said for birdies - they do get a bird now and then.

They sure have a lot of animals to deal with out there!

You should hear the kitty chorus every morning and evening when the kitties are going to get wet food.  It is so cute and they are all yelling until they get that food.  They have dry food out all day - and eat - but they know when it is time for wet food.  They are waiting on me every time!!!!!

Now I am not sure you can see it - but about mid screen is a HUGE spider web up in the air (above my head) and attached to the fence.  It was probably 18" x 18", maybe bigger.  You may need to enlarge the pic (click on it).  There was a big old 'writing' spider in it.   Glad I saw it and didn't walk into it.  I would have freaked out.  I leave the 'writing spiders' alone - that was Glen's rule and I still follow it.  They sure can make some fancy webs - it amazes how that happens in some of the places you see them.

There are spider webs all around here.  It seems everywhere I go - there is another one.  Not all this big.

Just a bit of this and that today.  Something yummy for the belly and something fun with nature.

I hope you have a wonderful day ahead.

Weekly Wrap Up 9/13

 Hello to all and happy Sunday!  So happy to have you here and hoping all are well.

It is a beautiful morning here, and it looks to be a lovely day.  Tomorrow sounds as if it will be near perfect temps (for me) and then we get back to 90* for a few days.  Summer doesn't want to go away for sure.  That is ok, as the garden is still growing and some of the flowers are still pretty.

We did finally get some much-needed rain early on Saturday and thunderstorms.  I got up and didn't see Bits anywhere and knew he must be hiding.  He does not like thunder.  I look all over and nothing, then I walked back in the bedroom, and there was the lump under the covers!  He had been under the covers and in bed with me the whole time, and I didn't know it!  Too cute.

Boots and Patches (2 of outdoor kitties) seem to have taken lessons from Rocky the racoon.  They now like to stand with their front paws in the water bowl when drinking!!!!!  When done, they lick their paws dry.  It is hilarious to watch.

Just from this week!  Not counting all I have eaten daily and what I gave away.  It has been a good year.

I hope you get to see this post - blogger is all screwed up again!!!!  They have not updated anyone's posts all week.  So, it looks like people aren't posting (they are).  If you have regulars you read, and have your own blog, go to your blogroll and click on the name of the blog you want to see (not the post) and you will see the newest one.  If you do not have a blog, just check your favorites on the days you know they blog (most are consistant).  I wish they would get these problems taken care of, this is a pain and it may cause problems for some that get paid something for readers (show ads).  REMINDER - I post new posts on Sun., T, W, Th.

My frugal week:

• Have received lots of FREE premium channels with Direct TV this week for some reason, and I have recorded a couple new things to watch (not a lot of interest for me)
• Put out the fall yard flags and door decorations
• Got to have windows open off and on, getting fresh air and no AC
• Cleaned off my corner hutch - it seems to be a catch all
• HARVEST - as you see above the tomatoes were crazy.  They are slowing some now, but still plenty of green ones and blooms galore.  Peppers are crazy and cukes are starting a new growth spurt w/lots of little ones
• Had a craving for mashed potatoes, so made some fancy ones (like twice baked) in the air fryer
• Made more cheese stuffed peppers for freezer
• Refreshed the bushes out back with a tiny trim
• Repaired and stabilized the bird bath on the handrail (ugh Rocky!)
• Canned salsa
• NO grocery shopping (stayed home all week)
• Paid bills by phone
• Hummer feed - they are still here!!!
• Used up freezer and fresh bits to make taco 'stoup'
• Continuing to deep clean for fall
• Used the air fryer several times - so as not to use the oven

Weekly frugal meals:

Tenderloin sandwich and salad

Smoked sausage on bun and a big salad

Fancy mashed pots, poor man's Swiss steak

Leftover day and fresh veggies

Fried green tomatoes and a yogurt

Taco 'stoup' with tortilla chips (froze extra)

Roasted cheese, burger, bacon, pepper and tomato flatbread

SNACKS - peanut butter w/apples, yogurt, tomatoes, tomato sandwich, salsa and chips

Just doing all the basics and eating what I have and cooking simple.  I have so enjoyed the summer foods, and they have helped me lose weight and feel healthier as well.  Win-win.

How was your week?  Have you done anything exciting?  Any deals?  Gardening still and/or canning or freezing for the winter months?

I look forward to hearing from you all, and I am missing many of you who haven't checked in for a bit.  Hope all is well.

Wishing you all a great week ahead.

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

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Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

Dear Lord, again we come giving thanks for all the blessings we receive each day.  Please help us each one to be representatives of Your word and ways.  Let everyone realize just because things are accepted by many, that they are not right or following of Your word.  May we be the beacons who tell Your word to others and help all to find the perfect love You give us. Please continue to lay Your loving and healing hands upon us all.  AMEN

That's My Story!!!

 Howdy all on this Thursday morning.  Hope this finds all well and safe.

It is a cooler morning, but very cloudy!  We were supposed to get rain last night - none.  Rain this morning - none.  Now they are saying lesser chances of rain all day.  It was supposed to rain most of the day - nope.  It all seems to be the southern part of the state.  Sigh, I will keep stretching that rain barrel water as long as I can.

                                        That's my story and I am sticking to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!  LOL

Does anyone else do that?  I know I can't be the only one.  One of these days - is one of my favorite phrases around here.  I have such good intentions on using the things I keep.  Some craft project, sewing projects, gift it, reuse for another purpose, etc..................

I declutter and declutter and the stuff is still here.  I can't imagine how much I would have, if I hadn't made some strides.  Geesh.  

I am a procrastinator!!!!!  There I admit it.

I do get rid of broken things and junk stuff.  Good stuff is another story.  I have so many things I think I will use in crafting.  SOMEDAY!

Cute idea - just an example of ways to use things.

That button box can be tuned into pretty picture projects for any holiday.  Those games that are missing parts - figure a craft project out.  How about puzzles missing pieces? - same thing.

These are cute little projects and reuses things - they would also be fun projects for youngsters to do to make some special gifts!!!!!

All those bits of fabrics - use in making pillows, stuffed animals, handbags, quilts, etc.

IF you keep plastic containers from things - use them to gift cookies or candies in the holidays.  Add some wrapping paper or colored paper to cover up the logo.

Old Christmas cards (fronts) can be used to make gift tags for next year or to use for lists and notes (I do both).  The super pretty ones can be framed.

Boxes - use to box up all the crap you need to get rid of!!!!!!

Remember to donate what you can - bless someone else, reuse in new ways, or just trash it.  Get creative.

Let's make it our mission to get our homes in order this fall and winter.

Wishing you all a great and lovely day. 

All the Same - But Yet so Different

 Hello to all this lovely Wednesday!  It is a nice morning here, the sunrise was beautiful and it is sort of cool at the moment.  We will be getting to 90* again today, the rain supposedly comes in tonight and tomorrow and cools us some.  Amazingly, after August rains - we do need the rain.  August was stupid wet - and here we are bone dry.

The daylight hours are sure getting shorter.  I heard that we lose another hour of daylight this month!  ICK!

Same alphabet, same amount of letters - yet so very different!    Kind like all of us!

Here we are, all looking for many of the same things.  Joy, happiness, love, kindness, etc.  We are all here for some of the same reasons.  We want to learn new things, we want to stretch our dollars as far as possible, we want to help others.  

So much the same - yet so much different.  

Many are married, many single, some widowed.  Some have children, others never did.  Some love to travel and others of us are homebodies.

Some are vegetarians or vegans and others just love it all.

Some like to garden and others don't - but love the fresh goodies.  Some have pets and others would never want one.

Yet here we are all together.

Humans caring for humans.  I love that.

I think I am an old soul, as I just embrace the older ways and the old ways of thought (old-fashioned).  I am a definite homebody.  I like peace and quiet, and I hate drama and pettiness.  Give me a kitty to snuggle or pet and a porch to sit on, and I am happy!  I do so much in the ways I saw from my parents.

I don't easily embrace technology - I don't trust it AT ALL.

I think we all have much to learn from one another, as we are all individuals with different styles in life and everyday practices.  I think we are very blessed to be acquainted with such a diverse group of people. 

It really is a small world!  No matter where we live on this planet, we still strive for many of the same things.  How cool is that?

I feel blessed that I get to 'know' you all and that we have such a great group.  Thanks for being here each day!

Have a wonderful day no matter what you are doing and always be kind!

One of Those Weeks - Behind Already!

 Hello all my sweet friends.  Welcome and I hope all are well.

It is a lovely morning here - the sun is shining and it is cool.  It will get to 90*F today.  I have been wrangling cats and shooing off Rocky the racoon this morning!!!!!  Rocky is not afraid of anything - it even came to the back door this morning as if it were asking if breakfast was ready.  Geesh what a morning.

To top that off - I was thinking it was Monday!!!!!!!!

Holidays do that to me all the time, and I am not sure why.  I no longer work, and all my days are the same.  I guess maybe because all the neighbors were home yesterday?  That is all I can think of.

This is just about every morning here for me!  Considering it is just me - that is a lot of goodies.  I do share with neighbors, and I am trying to use things up with canning and other ideas.  My garden is smallish - so I think I am doing pretty darn good.  

It sure is something to walk out back and get a bounty like this each morning.  Some mornings the basket is almost full of peppers and others it is tomatoes.  I eat a lot of both daily.

This weekend (Sunday and Monday) the weather was just about perfect.  I got to sit on the porch a lot and enjoy the quiet of the neighborhood.  Mornings are the best, as hardly no one was out.  I also did walks - which I had suspended during the extreme heat.  

Sitting on the porch, I am about 6' from the hummingbird feeder, and those little jewels were a constant guest at it.  It is the same with the one by the kitchen.  Standing at my kitchen window I am about 3' from it. 

I seem to have 4 hummers (all look different), and boy are they eating.  I keep trying to convince myself they were enjoying the cooler days - but I am afraid they are gearing up to leave.  It is about that time.

Generally, they leave by mid-September.  I leave feeders out until in Oct. for stragglers coming through.

It is so cool sitting there, watching them.  I hear their little chirps and then here they come - drinking, chasing each other and sometimes just hovering in front of me!  I tell myself they are saying 'thank you' - but they are probably wondering what that thing in front of them is!!!!!

I envy people that get to have them all year - I know some people do.

Shoot, I even put the trash bin out yesterday evening, as Tuesday is our pick-up day.  Not this week - it will be a day later.  So, part of me was thinking it was Monday, another part was thinking it was Sunday.  Holidays do mess my head up!

I hope you all had a great long weekend.  I didn't do anything special here at all.  

What was up for your weekend?  Did you have any last of the summer celebrations?

Well, I hope you that work, have a good shorter week. 

Have a beautiful day, stay cool and stay healthy.

Share a smile today!

Weekly Wrap Up 9/6

Happy Sunday to all.  Happy Labor Day weekend to all that celebrate.  So happy you are here, and I hope you are all well.  Hard to believe that we are almost a week into September!!!!  

It is a positively lovely morning here.  69*F and humidity levels are dropping.  The sun is out, the kitties all have a full belly, and I have the AC off at the moment.

I think we have turned the corner on the extreme heat in these parts of the country.  We have a couple 90 days coming up this coming week, but it looks to be much better after that.  I saw a projected outlook, and it was a lot of 70's and dry (very dry).

We did have the hottest stretch of weather for my city for the first part of Sept. in my lifetime this week!  It was easily 95* each day - that was ACTUAL temp.

I am so glad we all seem to be past the debacle of blogger from Friday.  Golly, that was frustrating.  I thought it was just me, so I worked and worked trying to figure out the problem, then I got to looking at everyone else's blogs and the same thing - no comments after a certain time.  Boy, I hate wasting time like that. 

I had another incident earlier in the week with a flashing warning, that I had been infected and needed to renew my security, as it had expired.  Well, I knew I DIDN'T have the security company they kept saying, and MY computer said I was fully secure.  I kept trying to get rid of the flashing annoying warning and finally figured out how to block it!

I get so sick of scammers - they need to get a real job!!!!!!

My frugal week:

• Early in week (cooler) I weeded and trimmed the raspberry area - both sides of fence
• Lots of HARVEST of tomatoes and peppers
• Made a nice bowl of bean salad
• Cut up a couple old, beyond repair t-shirts for rags
• Mowed the front grass and trimmed on Monday - back didn't get done this week
• Laundry using dehumidifier water
• I have been keeping the little yogurt cups I have been eating - figure there has to be a use.  Maybe frozen treats
• I made a small batch of sweet banana pepper relish (nummy)

• Pulled weeds and deadheaded flowers out front in early mornings
• Using the rain barrels and the soaker this week for watering
• Hummingbird feed (it goes skunky quick in this heat)
• I went to an event for high school class.  I think this was the most enjoyable I have been to.  I met many new people (after 50+) years, and it wasn't a huge gathering
• I did run to the feed store to get supply for fall and then to Ollies around the corner.  I did buy myself a set of Corelle dishes - did I need? - NOPE.  I have Fiesta style dishes and they are lovely, but oh so heavy - so it is time to pass those on to someone else to enjoy.  I wanted lighter weight dishes
• Just doing all the fall cleaning and normal stuff around the house
• Still battling gnats - thank goodness for the Zevo - it helps a lot - but I still have plenty.  I guess once harvests are done, they will be gone

Meals this past week:

Fresh & frozen veggies w/smoked sausage - stir fry

Lasagna (helping from freezer) and salad

Bean & rice burritos

Nachos/taco salad (kind of a combo)

School event - pizza

Chicken strips, potato wedges and tomatoes

Patty sausage/egg sandwich and salad

SNACKED on fruit, yogurt, bean salad, toast

There you have it - nothing too exciting here.  

I did sit out on the porch for a couple hours yesterday morning and it was so quiet.  I would hear the hummingbirds chirp as they were approaching the feeder just a few feet in front of me, a chorus of crickets (sounds like thousands), and kids outside playing.  The traffic was minimal - it was so nice out.  I talked with a couple neighbors too - saw the young man a couple doors down w/his little girl out tending the flowers and walked down to talk to them.  Another neighbor came to mow next door and talked with him a bit.  Just a lovely cooler morning.  I really like those kind of days!

What have you been up to?  How are the gardens doing?  Any great deals this week?  I sure am missing some of you - I hope you check in and let us know you are ok.

I hope you are all well and safe and that you all have a fantastic week ahead.  

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

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Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.

Jeremiah 33:3

Lord, we send up much gratitude for all the blessings that we have experienced this week - we are so very blessed.  Help us each one to know that all we need to do is call out to You and ask, and You will answer.  Our prayers are heard, and Your will be done.  Let us all be grateful and have hearts full of love, and to know that You are always there with us.  AMEN