Weekly Wrap-Up 9/12

 Good morning all.  I hope this finds you all well and safe.  

Today, I have been thinking about 20 years ago today.  The country and the world came together and cared intensely for one another.  Strangers took in and fed and housed strangers and people said kind words to one another and nothing was going to divide us ever again!  The skies were quiet and we were all sad, angry, mourning and full of love.  I never want to see another 9/11 - but wish the feeling of 9/12 could be captured again.  People were kind and caring for one another!

It is about to get HOT again for a few days.  We had some much nicer weather for several days this week.  Summer hasn't lost its grip yet!

I had a hawk fly into one of my trees this week, while I was out.  I yelled at it to get and it flew off and I watched soar to a tree a couple blocks down in a matter of seconds!  Boy those birds are fast.

Yesterday morning I went out to feed the cats and I looked over and saw a shadow in the darkness.  It was a racoon - who immediately ran over to me as if to say "what's for breakfast?".  I kept trying to shew it off and it just kept coming back.  It was not afraid of me at all!!!  It finally made it in the greenhouse and the kitties came out (smart).  I managed to get it to go over the fence and watched as it went through the yards - got scared by a neighbors little dog - and scurried on down the alley!

They things I see around here!!!  LOL

It is a flippin' nature preserve!!!

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Just a note:  I know many of you watch You Tube videos and follow some people.  If you watch Hillbilly Kitchen - Down Home Country Cooking - be aware that here husband, Brett, passed away this week.  I imagine she will be taking some time off.  I always enjoy her channel - as there are great recipes, but great scripture and testimonial.

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My week:

• I did a little fall decorating - door decor and a few odds and ends in the house.  Even got out my fall candles
• I went back to the bank and finally got things all taken care off - I did it my way.  I just did what I thought was right for me at this time
• Bank was my only outing (there and directly home) - NO GROCERY shopping
• Chopped and froze more bell peppers
• Harvesting - tomatoes, peppers, basil, thyme.  Dug some onions.  Tomatoes are fewer now - but there are still green ones out there.
• Crushed and jarred a lot of dried basil
• Laundry/cold and line dried
• Still working on decluttering - got another box together
• I have been working on getting into the dark recesses of the pantry and the freezer and using up things that are getting old!  (You know I am not concerned much about dates).  It will soon be time for holiday sales and I need to use up older stuff - so I can justify (to me) buying new!!!
• Made a peach cheesecake.  I had a sweet tooth and that wasn't too sweet - and hit the spot.  Shared part with the neighbor
• My Ninja had started making a buzzing noise.  OH NO!!!!!!  I did research online and saw it might not be making a good connection when running.  I took all I could apart and cleaned and cleaned.  Used a toothpick to get into crevices.  That helped some - then it dawned on me - I ALWAYS use the same setting (for ages).  So I switched it up this week and started using different settings and NO MORE BUZZ!  YAY!
• My mouse for my laptop (yes I still use a mouse) stopped.  I changed batteries and it didn't help.  So I took it APART as well and cleaned everything I could.  It was dusty (& dander) inside - so after cleaning it works like a charm!
• I evicted some major dust bunnies (or cats) this week.  Started doing deep cleaning for fall - and oh my, the things that hide under and behind stuff!!!  I sure did move a lot of furniture.  I only got 2 rooms done - more this week!
• I did some front porch sitting this week.  It was so lovely out.
• Got to have AC off and windows open for several days

The live forever is really in full bloom.  This picture doesn't do the color justice!  I have this all down one side of the house and out front in the flowerbed.  So full of butterflies, bees and flies.  Sweet, sweet blooms.

Meals this past week:

Chef salad topped with tuna

Hotdogs (cut and ate on hamburger buns), slaw (home canned) and tomatoes

Chicken strips, long grain rice and tomatoes

'Sort of' enchiladas

Cheeseburger, leftover rice w/peas added and tomatoes

Broccoli/cheese soup (freezer) and ham/tomato sandwich

Ranch/Mex. chicken blend over rice

SNACKS:  finished watermelon, pistachios, tortilla chips and cheese dip, cheese and crackers, cheesecake, milkshake

I didn't do any canning this past week.  I have all my grapes in freezer for when I am ready to do jelly.  I have just been piddling around the house this week.  I feel like 'nesting'!

I have decided to not even go to second Sunday farm market today.  It will just be too hot to go out tromping through the park.  I will maybe go to the orchard or farm stand later this week.

What have you all been up to?  Are your gardens still hanging in there?  Canning or freezing anything?  Finding any deals or bargains?  Can't wait to hear from you all.

Thanks for all your help and ideas this week!!!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful week and stay safe and healthy.  Blessings from my humble little home to yours!

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Save us, we beseech thee, O Lord!  O Lord, we beseech thee, give us success!

Psalms 118: 24-25

Helpful Charts and History (Mine & Yours)

 Today is just a couple simple charts that will be helpful this time of the year.  We tend to cook heartier meals during the fall and winter - especially around the holidays and we love our seasonings.  Seasoning food can make a 100% difference in how you react to it.  I am not a bland food type person.  

Seasonings at the store can cost a fortune.  Make them yourselves!!!!  They are so easy to do.  You can also tweek it to be exactly what you prefer.  These can also be multiplied and made for great holiday gifts.  I would love to get a lot of great seasonings in a cute little basket for Christmas!!!!!!

Click on picture to enlarge for better reading!

Apples are now coming into season.  An apple a day keeps the doctor away!!!!  We all need that, now don't we?  LOL

I love apples and buy a lot of them in the fall.  It is about time to start visiting the local orchard.  Nothing like fresh, locally grown apples.  I eat at least one a day during the fall - many times more.  I love cooking with them - especially fried apples - OH MY!!!!!!

Hope this helps someone in making a choice of what to get and enjoy.

LASTLY - A little history.

I don't often (hardly ever) post a video.  I came across one that I think that every American can appreciate.  It will also be a brief history lesson to those outside the U.S.

Give the video a moment to get going - it really isn't about current events.

I post this as the man they are talking about, Mr. Briganti, had a real impact on my life!!!!

He looks wonderful in this video - but this man was my 6th grade teacher!  He was one of my favorite teachers ever.  I learned a true respect for history because of him;

He was fresh out of college back then and was a genuinely nice, nice man.  My only teacher crush!!!!💓

I have no idea how one goes from being a grade school teacher to doing the great things he has done - but I for one am glad he did.

ABC News PERSON OF THE WEEK - Steve Briganti - YouTube

Click on above to see video

I am honored to say that I met this man and and I am proud of what he has done.

I hope you can see this and enjoy.

It is a part of history for many of us and our families.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Mid week Tip or Two

 Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions for future posts.  I wrote them all down and have a few things to research - but I am glad to.  I think it will be fun and I love everyone chimed in!  Thanks.

USING COFFEE FILTERS

I have a ton of coffee filters left from when I used to make coffee for Glen.  I would get them at the dollar stores or at Kroger for next to nothing.  Well I figured I needed to come up with some uses.

The extras I keep back in the pantry - but the open ones I put in a berry basket.  I mean, square items seem to fit spaces better!  I keep that little container in the kitchen cabinet.

I use them to thaw a piece or 2 of meat (I place the meat on it, so juices are absorbed)

They are great to use for soaking grease from fried foods

I often use them for a little snack or treat instead of dirtying a dish.  They are great for popcorn!

I use them as splatter guards in the microwave.

I have even used them to strain liquids and grease to get particulates out.  

They are biodegradable and compost well.  I get done and just scrunch it up in a little ball and throw in with my compostable items.

I have seen people use them as stabilizers when doing embroidery or hand quilting.  Dampen them and they will pull right off when done!!!

They sure are cheaper than paper towels, they compost, and it uses up something I no longer had use for.

Call my an idgit, call me crazy, call me slow - but I learned something the other day about the way I have done something my entire life!!!!!

I love sliced tomatoes - FRESH sliced tomatoes.  They are so juicy and tasty and MESSY.  I saw a story about how I was cutting them 'wrong'!  I bet others do it the same way.

I have always cut the stem (core piece) out and then sliced horizontally (nice rounds).  Well, you guessed it - they said you should slice vertically!!!!!  WHAT???  I tried it and I will be dog dang nabbed if it didn't make less mess.

If you slice them vertically - you do not open as many membranes inside - therefore you don't lose as much juice or seeds.  Much less mess - still the same wonderful tasting tomato!!

I am learning every day!!!!!

Remember the other week I got all those hoagie buns for FREE?  I used one to make a subway like sammie and I used one for a smoked sausage dog.

They are kind of dry and very dense.  Kind of meh!!!!  Well, I wasn't going to throw them out - so I needed to come up with other ideas.  I did freeze most for later.

They are solid (not cut) - so I will slice in half lengthwise and make pizza from them!  I love French bread pizza and one of these will be perfect.

I can cut in half and toast - add butter and PBJ for a snack or melted cheese or a little garlic powder for garlic bread.

I can cut in half lengthwise - then cut each half into thirds or halves and butter and add garlic and bake for bread sticks.

I cut rounds and make French toast.

Come the holidays I will most likely use some for dressing.  I love bread that has a crust for dressing/stuffing.  If you have never tried it - do!  It just gives a hearty taste to the dressing and it doesn't get all smooshy.  I won't be making a lot of dressing since it is just me - but when I do - I will put all leftovers in a muffin tins and freeze in individual servings for later.

Love me some homemade dressing!

There you go - my tips for today.  Hope these give someone some new ideas.

Have a great  Wednesday!!!  Talk to you tomorrow.

What Do You Want to See/Learn/Teach/Discuss?

 OK, here we are a new month.  It is the beginning of fall here in the states.  The seasons are changing and we are gearing up for cooler weather and the holidays.

What do you want to read about this month?  Do you have any requests?  I sometimes feel like I repeat things, but then we get new readers so I think that is OK.  We all need reminders from time to time as well.

I have some ideas for the month - 

Homemade holiday gifts (easy and fun)

One pot dinners

Homemade cleaning and beauty products

Fun gift wrapping

Fall recipes

More hints and tips

How I keep my food budget low (pictures of my easy meals)

Maybe the story of my 7X great grands (the Amish)

So give me your ideas.  I want to blog about what people want to read about.  I want people to learn and enjoy.  I want to learn from you as well.

I don't want to get stale with posts.  Give me your ideas or requests!!!!!!

Thanks

Weekly Wrap-Up 9/5

 Good morning and Happy September!

It is a cool and damp morning here.  We had rain yesterday and it seems to have moved out - but still cloudy and damp.  The rain has been much needed.

We finally had a front move through that cooled us a bit.  It has been wonderful.  Looks like a couple of warm days to start the week and then cooling again.

My hummingbirds are sure eating a lot - must be getting close to leaving time sadly.  I watched 2 males have a fight the other day!  It was something.  They were actually attacking each other - zooming head first towards each other.  Then a female (the voice of reason!) kept flying in between them, trying to break it up.  This went of for about 10 minutes.  Not like there isn't a second feeder or plenty of flowers - they just both wanted to be in the same place at the same time!  Stubborn!!

I did make a grocery run at the end of Aug. and I am going to try and stay out of them for September for stuff for me.  I do intend to go to second Sunday Farm Market next week - as it is the next to last one for the year.  I do need to make a Lowes/Menards run sometime - but trying to stay away from grocery.  I need nothing and I am well stocked - so no need to go and just spend!

My week:

• Harvesting - still lots and lots of tomatoes and many grapes.  I have picked grapes 4X this week (destemming and freezing)
• Did a quick color touch up on hair
• Mowed and trimmed
• Chopped peppers and froze
• CANNING - many more jars of seasoned tomato/chili soup base, crushed tomatoes, tomatoes with peppers and basil (all from garden).
• At Kroger I filled a few holes in my pantry.  I got olives, trash bags, freezer bags, corn meal, and more canning lids.  I also got a tasty watermelon!  I found a deal up by the register (not a clearance item) on 75% alcohol hand wipes.  10 packs for .25 ea.!!!!!!  I got many - several will go in goody baskets.

• Did laundry in cold and line dried
• Got to do yard work - and it wasn't too hot!!!!
• Paid everything I had that was due for Sept.
• Washed out some baggies this week
• I made mashed potatoes one day - so made into a new item on day 2 and froze some of remake
• Eating from home, decluttering, using what I have, doing all the normal stuff
• AC off and windows open much of the week

Meals this past week:

Leftover zuch/meat cooked with eggs (like omelet) and sliced tomatoes

Rice topped with beans/carrots/ham soup

Mexican zucchini casserole

Smoked sausage 'dogs'

Beef tostadas

Poor mans Swiss steak with mashed and sliced tomatoes

Chicken/corn/potato cakes with leftover potatoes and sliced tomatoes

Eating lots of yummy watermelon

How was your week?  Do you have any goals for the month of September?  How are those gardens doing?  I look forward to hearing from you all.

Prayers for you and yours.  Hope you are all safe and healthy.  Have a fantastic week!

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

Dear Lord we pray you will heal the hearts of the people of this world.  Let each and everyone know that You are what we need and with You we can face anything.  We thank You for all our many blessings.

Amen

Eating Healthy - Local and Real Foods

 What do we all need to know about shopping for produce?  What do we want to do to eat healthy?  What is considered local?  I will try to answer those questions.  I guess this should have been a post earlier in the growing season - but there is still lots of fresh goods available and there will be for a few more months.  There are always ways to get fresh in the winter as well.

Fresh can be grown at home or it can come from farms, orchards and neighbors and friends.  Generally GOOD fresh produce may cost a few cents more - but your health is worth it.

WHAT IS LOCAL?

Many folks say that it is food that is grown or harvested within a 100 mile radius of your home.  That sounds daunting to some, I know.  IF we went local for all our food - that would mean meat, eggs, milk, cheese, butter as well as fruit and veggies would have to be included.  It CAN be done - but not too many will do it or pay the higher prices.

Some groups say local is a max of a 7 hour drive.

The Dept. of Ag doesn't really define it except to say it is farmers selling directly to consumers.

HOW TO FIND LOCAL FOOD?

Farm Markets are a great source of fresh and local. Many of our farm markets have it all - from meat to veggies.  I can guarantee you the meat and cheese are a lot more expensive than going to the store!  Of course you can find out where the farm is, you know whether it is organic or not, you can even make a weekend drive to see the facility.  You can't do that with the stuff you buy at the grocery!!!!!

We have winter markets and summer markets.  Many locals grow in greenhouses and provide fresh veggies and fruit all year.  

You can join a local food co-op, they sell year round.

Some small grocers buy from local vendors.

You can also go to localharvest.org or farmersmarkets.usda.gov to see if there is a listing for your area.

IS IT MORE NUTRITOUS?

YES.  It is freshly harvested (within hours) before the market sells it.  The fresher food is the more nutrients it has.  When it sits for days or weeks before you take it home - it is truly losing good stuff!  Other than growing your own, farm markets are a close to peak freshness as you can probably get.

DOES IT TASTE BETTER?

YES.  Think of those things called 'tomatoes' we buy at the store and then what you get fresh from the vine!!  NO comparison.  Same with all fruit and veggies - you just can't compare the two.  Higher quality food just tastes better.  When buying meat from a local farmer - YES it will cost more - but there is NO pink slime!!!!   That says a lot!

IS IT ALL ORGANIC?

NO - just because it is local doesn't mean it is organic.  Some local is, but not all is.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF "REAL" FOOD?

Produce is packed full of health-boosting nutrients.  Lots of vitamins - even great cancer fighters like A and C, calcium for strong teeth and bones and potassium for lower blood pressure.

If you are eating and filling up on REAL food - you will be eating less junk!  That means less high fat snacks.  That means smaller waist lines!

The old saying: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - is true.  Maybe a handful of grapes or berries or a salad can help your health is ways you may not even think about.

Fall still has a great selections of goodies to choose from.  Apples, pumpkins, squash, beets, cabbage, broccoli, peppers, onions, lettuces, melons, carrots as well as tomatoes and beans.

We all need to eat a big variety of fruit and veggies. Think COLOR!  The more colors you are eating the more nutrients you are putting in your body.

If we take care of our bodies and our health - we aren't spending as much on doctors, medicines and hospitals.  That is a good thing.

It may cost a bit more (if you aren't growing it yourself) - but you can save down the road.  Always check with those markets for end of day bargains.  Many don't want to load it all back up.  Check with orchards and farms in the area and check with family and friends.

Mom was right - "eat your veggies"!!!!!  They are good for you.

BE What You Want to See

 Today - no recipes and no frugal tips.  Just a tip to start the new month on being WHAT you WANT TO SEE!!!  We all get tired of of the garbage we are bombarded with each day.  Can we change that?  Well - we don't have to participate.  We can be the light that is so needed now.  Is this my Pollyanna self and thinking coming out?  Maybe - but I prefer to be a positive force than a negative Nellie!

Are your tired of negativity? - Be the positive thinker of the group

Are you tired of hatred?  Be the loving person 

Are you sick of shortages?  Prepare your home and not worry

Are you sick of negative TV, news and comments?  Turn it off, do not listen and remove or delete

Little things matter.  Be kind and thoughtful.  DO NOT spread hatred or negativity.  

Be the one to help a stranger in need or help the animal shelter.  Be the one to donate to a food pantry or to the homeless shelter.  Little actions make BIG differences for others.

You may only be able to donate some gently used clothing - but it may be  just what someone else needs.

You may be able to only donate a few cans of food - but it may keep someone from being hungry.

You may be able to only donate some old towels or blankets or a few cans of food - but it may help some animals in need at the shelters.

You may be only able to donate your time - but that may be what is needed.

You may be able to only lend an ear - but someone may just need someone to talk to and to listen.

You may be only to offer a hug - that may be the comfort someone needs at that moment.

You may be only able to offer a smile - it may be the only kind gesture someone sees today.

You all have been here long enough to know, that I try to avoid certain subjects.  If someone mentions them in comments - I kind of don't respond.  

I want this to be a SAFE place.  A HAPPY place.  A place for POSITIVE living and ideas.

You can find all the negative, hate, fear mongering, panic, evil and conspiracy that you desire in so many places, you don't need it here.  I aim to keep this our SAFE zone.

I am not ignorant of what is going on in the world - I am quite aware, as I am sure you are.  That doesn't mean we have to re-live it here.

We teach.  We learn.  We share.  We pray.  We laugh.  We cry.  We do these things all TOGETHER and with love and caring.

Have a fantastic day and month.  Go forward and BE what you want your life to be and what you want to see in the world.  Love and happiness are infectious and it spreads!!!!!!

I love you all and so appreciate you!