Letting Go

I am NOT talking about people - although that is the hardest thing in the world to let go of.
I am talking about stuff.
I do it, you do it, we all do it - have waaaaaayyyyy too much stuff.

I read something the other day that really hit home.  In a nutshell it said - we spend our early years buying and collecting stuff - then our later years getting rid of it.  YEP!!
There were so many gadgets and things I just had to have when younger.  Now they mean nothing, don't get used, and take up space.  UGH!

I keep things for .....WHY?  Why do I have so many magazines around, books that have been read and are not reference books, clothes I haven't worn in ages, holiday decorations that I don't use any more (and don't even remember having)?  I could go on and on.  You know the drill!!!!!!

I have really been trying to do better.  I work on de-cluttering EVERY week.  I get rid of something.  I may trash it, may donate it, put it at the curb for FREE, give to someone that can use it - but I get rid of things.  I don't miss anything and truthfully you can't even tell.

Aint this the truth.  We may have purchased it at the store or at the thrift store or at a yard sale - but it all equals money.  If bought second hand - then the original owner paid a lot more than you did - so money is gone.  FOR WHAT?  Stuff!!!!!!!!!!!


Now I do have my heirlooms that I love and keep - but I am even trying to dole those out to other families members, so they can enjoy them.  I have collections of several items from over the years.  I have many of them put away and out of sight - so I really don't know why I keep them.  I have things that were gifts - but not needed.  Maybe I have kept them long enough - that no one would notice them being gone!  They need to 'shared' with someone that can use them and love them.
I just have a lot of stuff.

Lately I have thought to myself - what would happen if we suddenly had to move?  Oh my goodness!  I never want to put that burden on someone else, and I can't even imagine how daunting that would be for us.
Soooooooooooooooo I am on a mission to minimalize my footprint.  IT NEEDS TO BE DONE!


Who is with me?  Can we work on this together and report to one another our progress?  It will keep us honest and motivate us.
Let's all get busy as if we were moving!!!!!

I will report at the end of each month my progress and you can all share yours. 
LET'S DE-CLUTTER TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!

Garden Walk & Update

Good morning. 
I figured I would give you a garden tour today.  I am at almost exactly ONE MONTH from planting (a couple days plus).  It is amazing to me how much things have grown!
I am so excited to soon have wonderful food coming into the house from my own back yard.

Does that amaze anyone else?  At 63 years old - it still amazes me that I can walk outdoors and pick dinner!  That is just too cool. 
Nature is just too amazing to comprehend at times.

ENJOY THE WALK!

Sweet banana peppers - 4 plants.  I will be picking some this week for salads!  Tons of blooms and peppers

Bell peppers - 4 plants - they are loaded.  It sure looks like it will be a good year for these.  YAY  I see lots of yummy eating.

 

A view on the raised bed.  Broccoli in front - then cabbage - tomatoes to right and squash at back left.  This does not include all the plants in pots.

Okra - 4 plants - is starting to set.  I will be picking some to fry up this week!  We love fried okra.

Look at these tomatoes!!!  There are 5 in this bunch and they are big!  12 plants - 2 are cherry.  Plants are  loaded!  Anxiously awaiting that first bite of a fresh tomato.

Cucumbers are really starting to vine and bloom.  Lots of little cukes are appearing!

Don't know if you can see them - but there are 3 zucchini in there!  One I will be picking today or tomorrow!  YUM

Our volunteer 'squash plant'.  The plant looks just like our yellow crookneck squash - but the fruit not so much.  Through research we THINK it is a golden nugget or ornamental pumpkin!  I have never grown a pumpkin EVER.  So it must be what they use in crossing to get yellow squash.  It is all good - we will use whatever it is.  Look forward to a new adventure in eating!

Opal basil - I started this from my parent's home years and years ago.  It comes back every year and we use it a lot!

Thyme is flourishing - about time to cut some and dry.  I love the flavor it adds to soups and stews and meat dishes.

This sunflower is squirrel/bird planted and approved!  It will be a triple flowering plant (see the 2 buds?)

The grapes are loaded and healthy - despite a DRASTIC haircut last fall to the vines.  Looks like a good jelly year!

 Cornflowers (Echinacea) is starting to pop color at various places around the yard.  I think they are so pretty - it's just a happy plant to me!

I just love the color combo of purple and orange.  Both of these came from starts of my parents' home as well.  (many years ago)  The original plants these came from were in my parents' yard BEFORE I was!!!!

Lastly, a tried and true oldie - Rose Moss or Moss Rose, however you say it.  I love the delicate little 'roses'.  This reminds me of HOME!  There is some trumpet vine (hummingbird vine) coming up in the pot as well - volunteer.  I will let it thrive!


There is much more to show from around our little 'homestead' - but this is enough for today. 

I just love taking a walk amongst all the pretties and goodies that nature has to offer.  Life is just so amazing to me - as there are so many gifts that we receive and just never stop and appreciate.
Aahhhh the wonders of nature and God.  My humble thanks!

Have a blessed day my friends!

Frugal Happenings 6/24

Happy Sunday all.  Can you believe this month is almost over?  WOW!
Summer is "officially" here.  I could have told the powers that be that!!! LOL

It actually wasn't as hot as predicted this week, but it was extremely humid.  Awfully humid!  I can take the heat - just leave out that humidity.  We had rain many days as well.  That was needed though.
Next week the hot, hot temps are supposed to return.

The garden is growing great.  It seems that things get bigger every day.  I swear I think if you sat still long enough, you could see it grow!
My allergies have been raging!  Thank goodness for allergy pills!  The pollen count has been incredibly high.

                                               My pretty Wave petunias.  I love the color

My frugal week:

• Sharpened all my kitchen knives.  I promptly cut my thumb (happens every time)!
• Picked lettuce
• Went to the closing day of the Food Co-op.  We were one of the founding members and investors in it many years ago.  It was started in a food dessert - but it just didn't work.  Too expensive for such a low income neighborhood.  I purchased several bulk spices, herb teas, my aloe soap (I am good for ages), pure sorghum ( for us & gift baskets), a gallon of Bragg's amino acids (taste like soy sauce except all natural - dated 2021) and 2 huge bunches of organic celery (for dehydrating).  Several pantry holes filled now.
• Mowed grass in between rains
• Took advantage Saturday of low humidity to get a lot of gardening done.  The fence row behind the garden has many flowers - but weeds had taken over with all the heat and rain.  It is all clean now!!!!  I got sprinkled on a few times - but it did feel good.  Spent most of the day working outside!
• Ran to Kroger on Friday.  I got 5 -8 oz. packs of cheese on 2 day special of .99 ea.. 6 grapefruit and 6 lemons in .99 bags.  Got a few peaches at .69/lb. - wanted to see if they were good enough for canning.  I think I will wait for local orchard peaches.  Bananas - .39/lb.  Haven't been that cheap in years.
• Did a LOT of de-cluttering.  Got rid of lots of odds and ends that I have been hanging on to - for WHAT?  No idea - why I keep some things!  LOL
• We were 'gifted' a camera.  It is a smaller camera and works great.  Will be perfect for those 'on the go' kind of pictures for me - instead of taking my big one!
• Actually turned the AC off for parts of a few days this week - then humidity got the best of me!

Meals this week:
Hobo packet dinners - (meatballs, potatoes, carrots, onions)
BLT's
French bread pizza
Tuna salad served on bed of lettuce and crackers
Cold cut sandwiches and chips
Philly beef & cheese skillet dinner over rice
Beef/bean/cheese nachos

Not a lot going on.  Kind of quiet - just me and the yard becoming one!  My muscles sure can tell.

What has been going on in your life?  How are those gardens doing?  Any great frugal finds?
Let us know.

May you and your family be blessed with health and happiness in the coming week.  Those of you in the U.S. stay cool!!!!!
Blessings from our humble home to yours.

Faith and Prepping

This has been a topic I have seen a lot lately in various places.  Many people think there is no need to prep for whatever - IF you have a strong faith.
That is fine to believe that way - but I also believe that we have to help ourselves as well.
I have a strong faith in God and I know He always has me wrapped in His loving arms - but He also expects me to put forth some effort.

Think about it:
You have vehicle insurance - because something MAY happen (it also the law here)
You have health insurance - because something MAY happen
You save money - for emergencies and for the your future to take CARE of yourself
You have home insurance - because something MAY happen
You have life insurance - to HELP those left behind
You plan on your retirement accounts being there when the time comes - to HELP with finances
You invest to make your money grow for the FUTURE
You do preventative maintenance on things to keep them in good order - so they last longer
You take medications and/or herbs & supplements to IMPROVE our health
You diet/exercise to STAY healthy and fit
You work to earn a living

Why are these things all OK to do and still profess your faith, but prepping our pantries is not???
I don't get it.

In my humble opinion - I think God directs me to prepare for the future.  He directs me to prepare for my family.  He directs me in all that I do.
I do not feel that there is any conflict in my prepping and my faith.

I feel that we are guided to gain knowledge on gardening, preparing, making do, and sharing with one another.  We are each put into the lives of others for a reason.  We learn, we share, we love, we care, we pray, we play, we laugh, and we believe TOGETHER.  We are our own community!

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON FAITH AND PREPPING?

I thank you all for being a part of my life and community.  I learn from each of you and enjoy the feeling of belonging.
Have a great and blessed day.

Easy Meals That Don't Heat the Kitchen

It is that time of the year here in the U.S. that folks just hate heating up the kitchen cooking meals.
I don't worry about it so much, as our kitchen is off from the rest of the house (a separate room), and it doesn't seem to warm things up much.  I think those with a more open concept might worry more about it.

Here are a few ideas for lovely meals - and a cool kitchen!


GRILLING
When it's too hot to cook inside - use the grill.
The following meals are what we have always called HOBO dinners.  You use  lengths of heavy duty foil and separate meat and other ingredients into them.  Wrap and grill.

Meat is usually 1 - 2 lbs. (depending on number you are feeding). 
Veggies - 1 1/2 - 2 cups
Starch - 1 1/2 - 2 cups
Sauce - to taste
Add-ins to taste

Ground beef patties  + tomatoes sliced  +  potatoes sliced  + BBQ sauce + French Fried onions  = BBQ burger packet

Smoked sausage  +  green beans  +  potatoes sliced  + beef broth  + spicy mustard  =  German-fest packet

Boneless pork chops  +  corn on cob (halved)  + sweet potatoes sliced  + butter & minced garlic  +  chives (chopped) = Down home pork chop packet

Boneless, skinless chicken breast  + bell peppers/onion, sliced  + soft tortillas (for AFTER grilling) + salsa  +  shredded cheese/sour cream  = Grilled chicken fajita packets 

Large shrimp and/or cod fillets  + zucchini or yellow squash, sliced  + cooked rice (serve with after grilling)  + butter, dill, lemon juice + paprika  = Dilled shrimp & squash packet

****Arrange veggies and meat topped with seasoning on foil.  Fold foil tightly in packet form.  Place on a heated grill for a good 25 - 30 minutes (meat) or 20 minutes (seafood).  Top with your add-ins after done.
Super easy, yummy, keeps house cool and NO clean-up!

There is no limit to the variety you can make.  I did meatballs, potatoes, carrots & onions with a little butter and seasoning the other night - oh so yummy!!!

           Use your favorite recipes or just get creative and make up new combos yourself!!!!!


SLOW COOKER
Slow cookers are another way to not heat the kitchen and you can make dinner while at work or play!

Again - meat is 1 - 2 lbs.
Veggies - 1 1/2 - 2 cups
Starch - 2 cups
Sauce - 2 cans or 2 cups
Add-ins - one or more to taste

Boneless skinless chicken breast  (tear apart after done cooking)  + salsa or tomatoes and green chiles diced  +  instant rice (stir in 20 minutes before end of cooking)  +  either tomato or cream of chicken soup  +  shredded cheese (stir in after done)  =  Chicken enchilada stew

Beef chuck, cut into strips  +mushrooms sliced  +  cooked egg noodles (after meat is finished cooking)  +  cream of mushroom soup  +  sour cream (stir in when done)  = Beef stroganoff

Boneless pork ribs (serving size pieces)  +  onions sliced  + navy or baked beans  +  BBQ sauce  + tomatoes diced  = BBQ pork and beans
(You could use cut pork roast or chops as well)

Smoke sausage  +  sauerkraut  + frozen shredded hash browns  + French onion soup  + 1 packet onion soup mix (add with soup)  =  Sausage, kraut dinner

Beef chuck roast  +  carrots and onions quartered  +  potatoes quartered  +  golden mushroom soup  +  Worcestershire sauce  =  Beef stew

****Arrange veggies on the bottom of slow cooker, arrange meat on top.  Top with soup or sauces and sprinkle with add-ins.  Cook on low for 8 -10 hours or high for 4 -5 hours.

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

Easy - peasy dinners - for summer or winter dining!  YUMMY beyond yum and super easy clean-up.
I bet they will come back for seconds!!!

During the hot, hot days of summer - we eat a lot of salads and sandwiches.  Fresh veggies are always on the menu.  The season for home grown fresh goodies is so short, that we take advantage.

Hopefully this helps make life a little easier for you.  Get creative and make up your own recipes.  All recipes were started by someone thinking "this might be good together"!!
Use what you have - improvise on meats or veggies - depending on what is in the freezer or garden.  There are no hard and steadfast rules!


HAPPY DINING - STAY COOL!

Frugal Happenings 6/17

Good morning to you all.  Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there.

We woke to a scorcher of a day.  It was 80* when I got up and the humidity was about the same!  You could cut it with a knife - I do believe.  We are supposed to hit a record high today of close to 100* actual temp. UGH!  It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the humidity.  No cooler temps till mid week. 
Making sure to keep plenty of water available for birds, squirrels and cats.  The birds sure do enjoy their daily 'swims' or 'baths'.  They line up on the handrail waiting their turns!  Can't say that I blame them.  Kitties spend most of the day under the deck in the shade.

They garden is growing like gang busters!  I have a banana pepper about 2" long, little squash starting, tomatoes on vine, and the cabbage is starting to head.  Cucumbers are blooming, so hopefully soon we will be picking fresh veggies!

Noticed this week that the lightening bugs are back.  I just love seeing them - it reminds me of childhood.
We had a neighbor 2 doors down move this week.  He was nice enough, but I sure won't miss his very foul mouth! 
We also got a new neighbor next door, on the triple lot.  We know him.  He and G have been friends since they were kids.  He's renting with his adult (autistic) son - and he is making a lot of positive little changes to the property!  It will be nice to have someone I trust and who could help (if need be) in an emergency.

                       We have a lot of assorted lilies blooming now.  They are all so pretty.

My frugal week:

• We had a lot of rain first part of week - so worked indoors a lot.  I re-arranged a lot of the extended pantry down stairs.  Cleaned and straightened
• Re-arranged and organized the upstairs pantry
• Came across my electric skillet in storage downstairs.  I haven't used it in ages.  I got it out and brought it upstairs.  I forgot how much I do love cooking in that thing! 
• Got the 'new' rain barrel raised up so as to be able to access spout with hose connector 
• FOUND a small hand gun that had been "lost" for several years!!  Oh my - we have looked every where and it was just very well hidden in the basement.  G was a happy camper. 
• Worked on my sewing/craft area and got a lot straightened - so much more to do.
• Cut G's and my hair and colored mine at home.
• Line dried laundry
• Patched and repaired 3 pairs on my old jeans
• Got lots of yard work done on Thursday - the best day of the week.  It was cooler and no humidity or rain that day.
• First of week was wet, but cooler than predicted.  I got have AC off for 3 days.
• I fixed our backdoor alarm.  We both feel better about that, mainly in case G is alone - he will be for-warned if someone is entering that shouldn't be!
• Ran to Kroger Friday.  I got grapes for .99/lb., 2 cantaloupe 2/$5 (they are huge), and milk for 1.69/gal.  That is all I got this week.
• I forgot to mention last week - when I went to Office Depot, they had school notebooks for .25/each already.  I got several for the kids holiday baskets.

Meals this past week:
Homemade 'sliders' (like White Castles) and fries.   Sooooooooooooo good!
Shrimp poppers, spicy mac-n- cheese and garlic bread
Cube steak, leftover mac/cheese and salad
Homemade pizza (supreme-like)
Homemade sub sandwiches and chips (they were way better than Subway!)
Beef Manhattans
Open face Sloppy Joes and salad
****************************************

I did seem to get a lot accomplished this week - and for the most part, nothing cost a cent!  I love weeks like that.  It is always nice to get things organized and in order again.
It is truly amazing how quickly it gets messed up.  Come home in a hurry to put things away - and poof there goes organization out the window!!!
The work never ends that is for sure.

How was your week?  Did you get much accomplished this week?  Did you stay frugal?

God bless each of you and get you through your most trying days. Hold tight to one another, love openly and deeply and help another.
Prayers for health and happiness in the coming week.

Blessings from our humble home to yours.

Have Some FREE Fun

Summer is here, the weather has warmed, and we all get out more.  There is no need to spend a fortune to have fun, either by yourself or with the family.
There are lot's of things to do that can be fun and even helpful that cost nothing.  Many of these ideas can be put into use all during the year - not just summer.

• Look into library activities.  There are lots of things for kids to get involved with during the summer.  Many libraries even have activities for adults (book clubs, lectures, etc.)
• Take a nature walk.  Walk in a park, the woods, by a lake or ocean - whatever is close by.
• Plan a neighborhood social/potluck - get to know the neighbors
• Have a picnic - it can be at home or in a park
• Backyard camping is always a fun thing for kids
• Bird/animal watch - it can be fascinating
• Take pictures - photography is easy and the more you do it the better you get.
• Visit a FREE day at a museum or zoo.  Many patriotic holidays are offered as FREE days.  National parks generally have a couple FREE days a year as well
• Geo caching is a big thing now.  It's a literal scavenger hunt using GPS.  Go to geocaching.com and look up your zip code and see what is available in your area
• Take a bike ride
• If you have a projector - try having a 'backyard drive-in' movie.  Put up a white sheet and show old movies or family movies
• Have a yard sale - WIN - WIN - you make money as well as get rid of stuff!
• Front porch sitting!  Sit and read a book, listen to nature, talk to passers by, meditate, etc.

• Take a nap!  Remember it's not a punishment any more like it was when we were kids!
• Volunteer - check out a food pantry, the local animal shelters, parks, hospital, etc.
• Play under the hose/sprinkler - great fun for kids (and adults too!)
• Help an elderly or disabled neighbor
• PLAY - horseshoes, volleyball, Frisbee, kickball, corn hole, bubbles, etc.
• Take a FREE community class - how-to home repair, cooking, gardening, identifying local plants/birds, canning, etc.  Many craft shops offer FREE craft classes for kids too.
• Clean out the garage - maybe not so fun - but frees up space!  Same with closets.
• Walk a farm market or flea market JUST to get ideas and look around.  You don't have to buy.  It is a great way of socializing with others getting fresh air, and people watching!
• Yoga - learn some Yoga positions from a class or watching You Tube and relax!
• Do crafts - make cards or start of projects for the holidays and gifts
• Genealogy - research your family history.  It is easier all the time with the computer and the internet.  This can be fun and it can be done all times of the year. 
• Garden - raise your own veggies.  Healthy food and enjoyable.
• Have a neighborhood clean-up
• Walk an area creek and find interesting rocks.  Take the kids - they will love it.
• Go fishing
• Have a family reunion & pitch-in

There are endless ways to have fun that cost nothing or next to nothing.
I hope you all have a lovely summer.  Let you creative mind take over and have some FREE fun.
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL - ENJOY IT!