Semi-Homemade is A-OK

Does anyone remember watching Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee?  Glen and I used to love watching that show - we got a lot of fun ideas.  We also used to like watching Rachel Ray - 30 Minute Meals back in the day!  I liked seeing anything that made cooking seem a little less complicated and fun!

It really doesn't have to be complicated at all.  Going semi-homemade is totally fine.  Not everything has to be 100% from scratch.  We all need a break now and then.  I think people are cooking more at home right now and maybe getting burned out a bit.  Have fun.  Use some mixes, canned goods, and packaged goods to jazz things up and speed up your cooking time.

I have given many ideas of meals using packages of Stove Top stuffing over time.  I had a few boxes I got on clearance and use them in different ways.  Add meat and/or veggies - maybe some eggs and/or cheese and make a casserole.  Add leftover meat/vegs and make patties to fry.  Use in a waffle iron and make stuffing waffles (crunchy outside & soft inside).  So may uses.

• You can use corn muffin mix to make casseroles and fun fall dishes for kids and family.  Corn dog muffins and corn dog casserole are both yummy (see post of Sept. 17, 2019).   I like making corn casserole around special occasions using corn bread mix and canned corn.  Add chopped jalapenos to mix and make tangy corn bread.
• Gravy in jars (always have on hand) great for coating meat in a crockpot to add flavor.  It works great for thickening soup or stews and adds flavor.  So many uses other than gravy.
• Bean and rice mixes or dirty rice mixes - good as they are  - BUT, add ground meat and make it a meal.  Use these as soup starters - I do this a lot.  Add extra water/broth  and lots of veggies and meat and you get a nice tangy soup.
• Cake mixes can make quick cookies.  Can be used to make a fun quick bread.  Sometimes you just need a cake in a pinch.  You can always add other ingredients and jazz it up.  Dump cakes are fun - fruit on bottom, cake mix, and butter & nuts on top - bake!  Ooey gooey yummy cake!
• Never dismiss those flavor packets for making cheeseballs.  I receive a few of these each year as gifts.  Add to cream cheese or sour cream and make great spreads for cracker or bread.  Add to cream cheese and make fancy grilled cheese sammies!
• Ramen soups (I know - not good for you) are always fun.  Not the healthiest thing in the pantry, but it is cheap.  The packs can be fancied up in so many ways, that you would never know that it is Ramen.  (see post of June 18,2019 for Cheap Eats) & (post of Mar.3, 2019 for Ramen salad).  Noodles can be made (w/o season pack) and used in any Chinese dish.  Sure makes for cheap pasta!
• Keep canned meats on hand.  It is always wise to have all sorts of canned meats in the pantry.  Great in case power goes out - you have protein you can eat.  But nice to add to a pasta, rice, beans or a quick casserole.  No defrosting, easy to use, tastes good and plain old handy to have. 

• REAL bacon bits are always, always, always in my pantry/frig.  So useful.  I don't always feel like making a mess frying or baking bacon - these sure are handy.  Great on top of a salad.  Great in cheeseballs or cheese spreads.  Super on pizza.  Top any cheesy topped casserole with bacon bits!  There is just something about the taste of cheese and bacon together for me!
• Cinnamon rolls can be used in many ways.  You can use in making money bread.  Spread fruit or pie filling in a greased pan and top with  chunks of cinnamon rolls and bake.  Make them in a waffle iron - what a fun and yummy waffle that makes!!!!!  Place one roll per section of a muffin tin - press up sides (to look like a pie crust) and fill with pie filling - bake.  YUM.  There is no limit to fun ideas
• Crescent rolls - quick and flakey pigs in a blanket!  Unroll each and add anything you want before rolling up - wedge of cheese, chocolate chips, fruit, etc.  Roll and bake.  Leave the rolls together (a solid sheet) and place over a homemade thickened stew for a yummy pot pie.

RASPBERRY FILLED JELLY DOUGHNUTS

1 can Grands refrigerated biscuits (10)

6 Tbsp. butter - melted

3/4 C sugar

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon (mix with sugar)

1/3 C raspberry jelly (or favorite flavor)

Bake biscuits as package directs.  Remove from oven and immediately dip in butter and cover all sides and then roll in cinnamon sugar.  With a turkey baster - add jelly to the middle of the biscuit (insert in the side).  Oh my goodness!!!!!!!

CHEESEBURGER POT PIE

1 1/2 lb. ground beef

1 small onion chopped

3/4 C ketchup

2 Tbsp. chopped dill pickle

salt - pepper

1 C shredded cheddar cheese

1 Refrigerated pie crust (softened at room temp)

Heat oven to 450*.

Cook beef and onion till done.  Drain well.  Reduce heat and add in ketchup and pickle and seasoning.  Heat 2-3 minutes.

Place mixture in an ungreased pie pan.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Top with pie crust.  Cut slits for steam.

Bake 13 - 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.  During the last 10 minutes of baking cover the crust edges with foil strips to prevent it getting too dark. 

Don't use the notion, that you are burned out - for not cooking.  Look in the pantry and frig - and use what you have in a new way!

I am a huge semi-homemade cook.  

Have fun and get creative.  Look at ingredients with new eyes.  You will be glad you did.

**Sorry I had to just list dates for previous posts that contain recipes.  I am not sure how to do links - still working on that.  Hope the dates help you!!!!!

ENJOY

Storage Containers and Gift Packaging for FREE

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!
Geesh, can you believe it?  It is time to get our homes and pantries in order and our goods stored for longevity.  It is also time to get together some ideas for those Christmas gifts that we may be putting together.

I think this year, more than others, homemade gifts will be popular.  Money may be an issue for many.  No need to run out and buy fancy boxes and packaging - look around your house!!!  I bet you are like me and have all kinds of fun things you could use.  Now I admit, you have to get a bit creative and literally think outside the BOX!!!!

So whether you are sorting and organizing your own pantry - or thinking ahead to the holidays - let me give you a few ideas that won't cost you anything or very little (thrift and dollar stores).

This was just looking around my house for about 15 minutes!

 Jars, jars, jars!  Left to right - I get instant coffee at Kroger (cheap kind) simply for flavoring my morning drink to taste like mocha.  Left is an empty jar (like full one next to it).  That jar holds approximately 1 quart.  Great for homemade soup mixes or brownie, cookie mixes.  Next is a clamp jar that can be purchased at many craft and home goods stores for little money - they work great for mixes or candy.  There is a glass jar from nacho cheese spread and one from ??.  The on with beans in it is an instant coffee jar from Aldi (I like the shape).  I have given those filled with colored M & M's and some filled with Skittles!  Always a hit!!!!!   I keep glass jars, as there are so many uses!!!!!
In front - discount little storage containers (I paid $1 on clearance at Kroger) or you can get multiple containers for $1 at Dollar Tree.  Those are great for spice mixes!

 Here is a variety of containers you can use when empty.  Spice containers, peanut jars, pickle jar or olive jars, gravy jars. and even the plastic bottles that drinks and mixes come in (remove labels).  There is just no limit to what you can use nor what you can put in them!

 Tins - I love them.  They are so fun to keep dry goods in for the pantry and they pretty things up.  Put a little label on the outside so you know what you have have!  Great for candy and cookie at the holidays as well.  The little loaf pan was purchased many years ago on sale at Christmas Tree Shoppe for .69 each.  Make mini loaves of sweet breads and then wrap in the pan and gift both!  Mugs are great for candies, tea or coffee or hot chocolate mixes, indiv. soups packets, etc.  The blue container is from produce department - keep and clean and you have a great container for homemade candies.  The container under the blue one is a container from sliced luncheon meat purchased in the meat department.

 Fancy glasses, big mugs and insulated drinking containers are great.  Wine glasses new or what you have - fill with chocolate candies, add a bottle of sparkling fruit juice and nice scented candle.  Big soup cup - add soup mixes.  Could also fill with homemade granola mix!  Insulated glass - gift with instant Gatorade packets or packets of individual drink flavorings.  Great for the outdoorsy person or hiker.

Cups and mugs of all sorts.  Coffee mixes, tea bags or mixes, candy, individual cake mixes.  Maybe add a packet of hot chocolate and a nice candle or warm pair of socks.

Just looking around here - I found hot chocolate mixes, flavored tea bags, flavored coffee, Gatorade mix, hot cider mix.........  The flavored coffee was on clearance - it will be divided into smaller containers or baggies and added to mugs with directions for brewing.  Tea bags can be given a few with a mug, same with cider mixes.

Plates of any kind can be used for gifting cookies, candy, muffins, breads.  Odd ball plates - ones you don't use or need.  Something you don't want back.  You can also purchase plates at thrift stores for next to nothing or get at dollar tree.  They are sturdy, pretty and the receiver can fill and re-gift themselves!  The gift that keeps giving.

Just a few ideas to get you thinking as you clear out cabinets and get organized.  Use some of these ideas for your own pantry and kitchen shelves or use them when gifting. 
It just makes the homemade gift a little nicer and special - not a paper plate or generic container.
Nice ideas to use to help fill baskets of goodies or something small for the teacher, baby sitter, neighbor or office mate.

I will be posting homemade 'jar' recipes as days go on.  I know many do not garden or can and do not have those types of items to gift.  Doesn't mean you can't still give homemade.

HOMEMADE is fun and saves the wallet and uses what you have.
Now that is frugal!

Weekly Wrap-Up 8/30

Wow, the last post of the month!  It is hard to believe that September is about here.  Labor Day will be coming up in a week or so, here in the U.S. and that is the unofficial beginning of fall.  We actually start fall with the Equinox on 9/22.  In the southern hemisphere they are getting ready for their warmer seasons again.
I went out this morning to feed the cats - it was still dark (at 6:45) - and it was 57*F.  WOW - did the temps and humidity drop over night.  It is so delightful out this morning.  This weeks weather will be more seasonal.  Thank goodness - I am over the heat and humidity.
Last night the sunset was incredible.  It looked like the sky was on fire - bright pinks, reds and oranges.  God sure is a great artist!

I have seen another young groundhog off and on in the yard.  It is a different one, as the other one died.  That I am sure of, as I found him a couple days after (oh my).  He is a cute little thing.  He likes my phlox, and stands on his back legs and eats it!
The finches are spending a lot of time on the echinacea flowers out front.  They love sitting on them and eating the seeds.  Amusing Coogy the whole while.  He gets so excited watching them right outside his window!!!!!

My week:

• Went through tons of old paperwork - have bunches to shred
• Cleaned out the corner hutch in the dining room - my goodness you can actually see the shelves in the bottom now!
• Re-arranged the living room a bit
• Made my bill paying station and put that in the corner hutch out of sight
• Bagged yard rubbish I cut last week.  I then worked on several areas of the yard in the cooler mornings.  I got the front flower bed all cleaned up and tons of spent flowers out (cut back the spiderwort).  I worked on the side of the house and on the back flower bed by the house.  Just so much to do!!!!  Working a bit at a time as it would just get too hot.
• Renewed library books online - instead of going out
• Printed several recipes from the computer
• Picked more basil and thyme and have it drying.  Cut more chives and chopped and froze
• Washed windows inside, kitchen and porch windows outside and cleaned all mirrors
• Made up new bottles of dish soap and shampoo
• Took down the mini blinds in the kitchen and washed them
• Made a yellow cake with chocolate chips and pecans this week for snacking
• Got a Pioneer Woman magazine for FREE
• Gave myself a really nice and relaxing spa night
• No grocery shopping this week
• Been picking lots of garden goodies.  2 zucchini and tons of cherry tomatoes and other tomatoes.  I know I picked hundreds of cherry toms this week.

This is just a little bit of what I picked.  I eat them like candy and have given so many to neighbors

Meals this past week:

Loaded cheeseburgers

Cheesy tuna mac

Sausage/egg/cheese sammies (used buns)

Veggie/stuffing casserole and sliced tomatoes

Casserole again and a side salad

Smoked sausage sandwich (on bread) and slaw and tomatoes

Taco salad

The veggie/stuffing casserole was good.  I used a box of Pork Stove Top, 2 eggs, 1 C water, onion, 1 small/med. zucchini (cut up), some broccoli from freezer and sliced mushrooms.  Mixed together and put in a 8 x 8 greased pan.  Baked at 350 for 20 minutes - topped with shredded cheese and baked 10 more minutes.  Quite tasty and filling.

                                                          Veggie/stuffing casserole

Working on things around the house has lifted my spirits and mood a bit.  I have been more active around here - instead of sitting and watching TV or You Tube!

Saving money shopping the house for redecorating and shopping the pantry for food and snacks.

What has everyone else been up to?  

You harvesting, canning, freezing?  Building that pantry?  How are you saving dollars?

Look forward to hearing from you.

There are many people we come in contact with each day/week that are at their breaking points.  It may be family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, strangers, you never know who - because they hide it.  Let us all remember to not be too busy that we can't be kind, caring and patient with our fellow man.  A little love and caring can go a long way.  It could change someone's world.

Blessings from my humble little home to yours. 

Up-cycle, Re-purpose and Making Do - Saves $$

You all know I have been on a cleaning, sorting, purging and organizing binge.   It just needs to be done - so much stuff!
My house has not changed at all in years and years.  Everything stayed in it's spot, paint colors stayed the same and things just kept getting stored away.  My sweetie was not one for change - it created a mess and lot's of work.  He felt bad because he couldn't help and he always said "it all looks fine" and didn't think it was necessary.
Last fall I painted and changed up the bathroom a bit - that was my first real change.
I did take his power chair out of the living room - I just couldn't stand to see it sitting there empty.  I went through some paperwork and tossed - my goodness that man kept everything!
Mostly I have just left things alone.  I felt like I was disrespecting Glen if I changed things up.  It has taken me a long while - but I am realizing that I am NOT disrespecting him - I just need to do something for me.  He would say "go for it!"

OK, that being said - I am just making small changes right now - nothing big.  I am using what I have in new ways.  It has been kind of fun.
I do want a 'new' couch and chair eventually, and I think I know where I will get it.  Not at a traditional store.  We have a recently opened high end thrift store - that sells absolutely lovely and excellent quality furniture for a fraction of the cost.  I have loved everything I have seen on their FB pages.  The money goes to a good cause as well - feeding the community.

My goodness I have baskets and more baskets around this house.  I have put several to new use.  I love using stuff in new ways!

 This little table was sitting behind my couch for ages - just no place for it and I didn't want to get rid of it (family).  I got it out and placed next to my big chair - added a checkered napkin, a candy dish holding a battery candle.  Super place to set a drink or remote when using the chair.

See that box behind it?  That is an antique ammo box Glen was given years back.  He had lots of STUFF in it - I cleaned it out and it now holds all my extra candles!  It is FULL of scented candles!

 Sorry not real clear.  I wear a cheap watch most days - vinyl band.  My belt has been used for ages and both have worn off the edges.  I used a black marker and colored the edges of both and now they look new again!

 Coogy now has a new basket for his toys!  He has a few and takes them out to play when he wants!

 I used some smaller baskets to change up the bath a bit.  I put these on the back of toilet (next to sink/mirror) and my often used items are handy.

A old stool and a basket - make a great book holder.  It keeps it off the floor for dusting and holds several of my favorite cookbooks and my tablet.

I made myself a bill paying station.  I had been keeping the checkbook on the dining table and my other stuff ON the open shelf of the corner cabinet.  It really looked messy.
I have a folder that holds stamps, address labels and stickers.  There is a cup with paperclips.  I have white out, a stapler, a calculator, tape and the checkbook and pen in there now - and it gets tucked away INSIDE the recently cleaned out corner cabinet!   The bills will get tucked in front of the folder and paid once a week on Friday.  I won't forget anything that way.
The corner cabinet looks nice and neat now.

This foot stool has been in the other bedroom for years as there was no room in the living room.  The kitties laid on it a lot - so it had a lots of picks and pulls in the leather.  You can still see them a tiny bit (on the side) - but I used some Old English (dark) on a rag and just rubbed all the leather and covered 90% of the pulls.  (Geez - now I see dust I missed!!!)
I figured I would use it now - how nice to sit back in the big old chair with a book and prop my feet up - maybe add a throw and be cozy!

Just doing little things - simple things - can changed the feel of a room and can boost your mood and attitude!  I know that seems silly, but it is so true.
Not rocket science for sure, just tiny little changes.

So the next time you get bored or get to feeling blah - just move some things around.  Find new ways to use what you have.  It doesn't have to cost a cent to redecorate a little.
Experiment - you can always put it back the way it was.  HAVE FUN!

Don't Complicate Things

We all have the tendency to over complicate things - don't we?
We over think everything.  We overthink why people say what they say - why people do what they do - what people really mean.
We over think our actions and those of others.
We can make caring for our homes and families too complicated.
We need to learn to just be a bit more laid back and not worry so much about the WHAT IF's.

Stuff happens.  You can be prepared and should be - but stuff will still happen.  Things you didn't even think about can happen.  We can control 'part' of our daily life - but there is something/someone else MUCH bigger in control.
Don't fool yourself into thinking you have ALL the power.  You don't.  Not for a second.
I take precautions like the next person in this day and age - but I know my God has this.  I am a firm believer that our last day was decided on our first day.  You can't change it - you do not have that power.
I do believe we can determine the 'quality' of this life - but we have NO control on the quantity.  I know this is my belief and not everyone would agree - that is your choice.  I just think too many people complicate everyday life by thinking they can really control the outcome.

I love the feel and smell of an actual book.  I will read a real book IF I get the chance.
I love the smell of coffee - not the taste at all - but there is something comforting about the smell.
Oh a rainy day nap - it has been a while.  They are so relaxing.
Any front porch is wonderful.  I have been doing that a lot lately (until extreme heat came back).  Love seeing the sights, hearing the sounds and feeling the air.
A sunrise or sunset is the most beautiful art project ever!!!!  Our God is a perfectionist and it shows.

I keep hearing people say "I can't wait till things get back to normal".  "I can't wait till things are like they were before". 
That kind of makes me sad.  YES, I am over C19 and riots, and protesting and the pettiness of people. 
BUT truly - if things go back to the way they were before - we have learned NOTHING!!!!!!!    I don't want to see the world lose an opportunity to learn and grow and evolve into a better place. 
I want people to be better.  I want people to learn lessons that last.  I want to see people be better prepared for the stuff they can control.  I want to see people learn that simpler CAN BE better.  I want to see people more involved with each other and less involved with their technology.  I want to more of the "old-fashioned" ways come back and stay!

Don't overthink.  Don't over analyze.  Don't judge.  Don't be petty.  Don't spread discord.  Don't think you have COMPLETE control.  Don't borrow trouble with worry about things you can't control.
DON'T COMPLICATE THINGS

Life is wonderful and should be enjoyed thoroughly, each and ever day.
Life should be lived as a journey and not a destination,

Slow down and enjoy all the simple things - you will be so much happier.  The simple things are the things that matter most.
Peace my friends!

Be Observant and Save

Good morning from a hot and humid Indiana.  My goodness you could have cut a square of weather out of the atmosphere at 7AM this morning!  It is a muggy, muggy day.  Thus I will be working inside as much as possible today!
Hope you are all staying cool.

Today I want to comment about just being a little observant and looking around the stores can save you money.  It really happens in more ways than I will be showing, but take a moment and look around.  You won't be sorry.

Many of you have Kroger stores or affiliates.  If not - check whatever store you have to see if they have a reduced price section for fresh produce.
Kroger has a rack in each produce department with bags of produce for .99 a bag.  I check it out before buying any produce.
I can't begin to tell you how much I have saved, looking and purchasing from that rack.  My goodness, I have bought bags with 4 huge bell peppers for .99 - when just across the aisle single peppers are selling for ,79 each!  I buy the peppers and either freeze or dehydrate. 
I recently bought some potatoes.  It is just me and I don't necessarily need 5 or 10 lb. bags!  They will go bad before I can use them.

I got this bag of 6 potatoes for .99.  Perfect for me.
I keep the bags (which are just tied shut on one end) - pull off the tags and then use them for packaging any other fresh produce I buy, instead of using the plastic bags.
I have found onions, peppers, potatoes, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, etc. all for .99 a bag.

I am an olive lover!  They are sure expensive.  I recently realized how I can get them cheaper!  I had picked up a jar of olives in the pickle/olive section and then went on shopping.  I was in the ethnic aisle and looked up and there were olives.  Jars almost twice the size of the one I had - and for less than half the price!!!!  Well you can guess which one I actually purchased!

The small jar was store brand and a little over 5 oz. for almost $4 (this is one I had purchased before).  The large one is almost 10 oz. and was $2.39.  Well - duh!!!!
Now if I ever make it back down to Sam's I will get myself a huge jar - but that is quite a drive and I don't go hardly ever.

A while back I was looking for antiseptic wipes at the store, and as many have noticed - they weren't to be found.  Well, they weren't to be found where we usually look!  I looked in paper products and cleaning section and nothing.  I just HAPPENED to walk to an area of the store that has a clearance shelf and the baby supply department was there.  I just glanced over and what did I see?  Antiseptic wipes!!!!  I would never have thought to look there.  There were plenty of containers of wipes there and the price was right.

I am a lover  of different types of bouillon.  I like the dry types (powders), not the kind that is wet and has to be refrigerated after opening.  I have family that love ham flavored bouillon and the place that I have always purchased it in bulk - no longer carries it.  It is a must for us in green beans and soup beans and many other things.
I have found Ham seasoning packets before at the Dollar Tree - but it seems now most of what they carry is tomato/basil and chicken.
I always look in the seasoning aisles at every grocery I go in - haven't had much luck.  Again, I was in the ethnic aisle and what did my eyes spy????  Ham seasoning!!!  Yes indeed.  I snatched up several of them to add to Christmas packages.  There are several small packets in a box, and generally one is what you need for a nice pot of beans.  Not measuring - no mess.  The best part is they were 1.29 a box!

The chicken bouillon was found there as well.  It was 1.29 a box and in the seasoning/bouillon /stock aisle the same size package of chicken was 2.49!!!!  That is just crazy.
I like the tomato/chicken mix they sell as well - although I rarely find it.  I use my dried and ground tomato skins for that.

I have purchased Masa flour in the Latino section for almost half the price that it sells for in the baking aisle.  INSANE!!

It is amazing how just walking an aisle or two over can save you money.  I don't understand why things are cheaper in the ethnic sections - but they generally are.  This girl has learned to look there first for most things and save money!!
This is why ethnic stores are fun to go in.  You can find so much for a  better price.
Spices are always cheaper at specialty stores - as are rice and dry beans.

Another heads up - I have been seeing lots of people on FB talking about how WM stores are getting rid of their #10 size cans of veggies and fruit.  Many have posted that they are getting them for $2 a can and some have even posted $1 - that is for those giant cans!  Sure could come in handy for that prep and stock-up pantry.
You might want to check it out if you are around/in a WM.

So there you have my lesson for the day!  LOL. 
LOOK around and OBSERVE - it can surely save you money.
Be frugal my friends!

Weekly Wrap-Up 8/23

Good morning everyone.  New week and an opportunity for new blessings and challenges.
Hope everyone is well.
This week I started out with decent cooler temperatures.  We had rain on Monday and Tuesday - which was needed.  Got to have the windows open and the AC off for a good bit.  That was nice.  It is now heating back up and the humidity is coming back for a while.  I am not going to complain - as fall/winter will be here soon.  I am not a 'cold' person!

I got the opportunity to see a bit of nature this week that I had never seen before.  I was standing outside just looking at flowers and noticed what I thought was a tiny hummingbird at the phlox.  I was hoping Fluffy wouldn't see it and go after it - it looked so small.
I walked over, figuring it would fly off and it didn't.  It wasn't a hummingbird!  I watched it for a long while and came in a researched.  It was Common Clear Winged Hummingbird Moth!  I never saw such a thing - it was so totally cool.

This is NOT my picture but a stock picture.  That is exactly what it looked like.  Had the long snout and tongue and fluttered like a hummy.  Just the neatest thing.  Here I am 65 and still getting to see new things in nature.  I love it.

My week:

• I pulled out all the onions planted early in spring.  They had gotten nice size and then I planted more onion sets
• Working on more yard clean-up.  Dead headed a ton of Coreopsis flowers and cut back a lot of stuff in the perennial bed.  So much to do whenever it is cool outside!
• Picking lots of tomatoes.  Cherry tomatoes have gone wild!!!!

This is a serving dish and I picked these on Monday.  I did this amount or more 2 more times this week!!

• Cleaned out the refrigerator and the frig freezer.  I found a very small head of cabbage at the back of frig I had forgot about and a single hotdog size smoked sausage in freezer.  Got both out and used them up.
• Finished up gallon of milk this week that was dated best 7/30 - still tasted fresh!
• Both rain barrels are full
• Mowed and trimmed the yard
• Not necessarily a frugal thing - but a calming thing I 'UNFOLLOWED' a couple of people this week on FB (not unfriended).  They post dozens of political things everyday  - NOT seeing those posts has calmed my world so much!!!!  Decluttering my mind!  Feel happier for sure!
• Did a HUGE stock-up this week.  I added 5 more cases of canned cat food, got 6 pairs of new socks and 6 of undies, a carbonator for Soda Stream, some extra foody gifts for holiday baskets, cheese (always get), bologna, Stevia, bought 3 pork loins (on sale .99/lb.) and I found canning lids!!!!  I got 6  packs of lids.  Meijer had all kinds of canning supplies - jars and lids and even canners.  I think I am DONE with the big stock-ups - for a while!

• I tore apart the living room!  Deep cleaned like crazy.  I took everything off the wall of shelves and cleaned and dusted.  I have boxed up 2 banana boxes of knick-knacks that I will be donating.   They just collect dust and they no longer bring me joy!  Nothing sentimental - just things I have gotten at sales/thrift over the years.  I moved furniture, cleaned register vents, moved the TV armoire and cleaned under (I think I found fur for a doz. cats!), redid all the shelves and then vacuumed all the floors on main level.    More to do - but boy did I wear myself out!
• Just doing all the regular stuff - laundry in cold, line drying, eating from home, using what I have, etc.

Meals this week:

Egg rolls - from freezer

Cabbage, sausage, zucchini stir fry

Mexican chili mac

Leftover chili mac and salad

Cowboy skillet* and a cuke/onion/tomato side salad

Cowboy skillet leftover and grilled cheese

Bologna/tomato/lettuce sandwich - I was tired!

*Cowboy skillet - my invention!  Ground beef, onion, back eyed peas, jalapeno zucc., salsa and a bit of rice, taco seasoning =  YUMMY!

Just an UPDATE - remember a while back I chopped zucchini and added to my big jar of jalapenos?  Well it worked.  Dang they got hot.  I can use the zucchini  bits in anything I want a bit of spice added to.

I managed to keep busy this week and I really feel refreshed.  Hiding some of FB and accomplishing a good deep clean - really worked wonders for me.  Working outside in the mornings as weather allows is also invigorating.  My home is well stocked and I should be good to go for a long, long while.  

I will be concentrating on more yard work, cleaning and canning this week!  I suddenly feel like I have a huge burst energy and I am taking advantage of it!

How was your week?  Did you add to stockpile?  How are the gardens doing?  Any canning/freezing/dehydrating?  Let us know what is going on your world.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Let us all work on being a better human being, a better friend, a better citizen and a better family member.  The world needs to see our best NOW and always.  Every little positive we put into the world is pure energy and a blessing. 
Blessings from my humble little home to yours.