The Difference a Day Makes

 Good morning.  I know I don't usually post on Monday - but felt the need to update all, on what is going on.  The difference of a day can makes such a difference in lives.  Something we all tend to forget from time to time.

My niece R passed around 4:30 PM on Sunday afternoon.  She had been off life support for about 26 hours.  Her body is healed now, and she is at peace.  They said she left this world very peacefully.  She should be with her daddy (my brother) and the Lord now.

My heart is so sad, but I know we all have days that are numbered.  I am so happy her children got to be with to say good-bye the day before.  We love you sweet girl!

Fluffy had a bad night.  We had a great day yesterday, then she had another really bad night.  She is weak and doesn't want to eat or drink.  Lots of bladder control problems.  She had more hemorrhaging last night (so not believing it is a tooth now).   I am not optimistic at this point.

Just keeping her comfortable in this time of need.  She is an older kitty as well - and it seems that my life with all the older kitties I have had, is nearing completion.  I will love her till the end and beyond.  I am so happy that I have gotten to have this special time with her.

UPDATE:  Fluffy has crossed the rainbow bridge.  We went to the Vet and she was one sick little girl.  No coming back from it.  End stage liver damage and most likely cancer (from blood draw #'s) - none of which was seen in May when at the Vet - so very aggressive.  She is at peace and playing with all that went before her in beautiful heaven.  Run free my sweet dainty fur baby.

I am going to take 2 or 3 days off from posting.  My brain is a fog, and I am just tired emotionally.

I will be back in a few days.

I hope you all have a blessed day.  Hug the ones you are with.

Weekly Wrap Up 1/29

 Happy Sunday to all on this last Sunday of January.  I hope this finds you all well and safe.

It is in the 40's this morning and drizzling rain out.  It is to get colder as the day goes on and then we are to have very cold and seasonal week.  I guess it is time.  We have been so fortunate in my area this winter.  Each week that passes, puts us one more week closer to spring!

Updates on my week.  

My niece has been removed from all life support yesterday at 2PM.  They removed her breathing tube; she is now resting on her own devices.  She has been moved to hospice care within the hospital - yesterday was not her day.  All I can think is - in God's time!  God knows when we leave this earth - we do not - not even the doctors can predict.  He must not be ready for her to leave this planet yet.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers and continued prayers.

Fluff is now an indoor kitty.  Thursday and Friday were pretty rough.  She was not a well kitty, after her roaming about.  Her eyes were all goopy and they are now clean and clear.  Both of those nights she slept curled up in my arms.  I really thought I was losing her Friday.  She started having blood come from her mouth.  Well, it appears she lost a tooth, and it was bleeding.  After we got through that - things have improved.  She is eating - gravy foods only.  She is drinking lots of water.  She is pooing in her box.  She is still having a little problem with controlling her bladder and using the box each time!  She has discovered floor registers and the vent on the front of frig and loves the warmth!!!!!  This morning has been the best morning so far.  She slept in a little bed I made her last night - and she come in and greeted me as soon as she heard me stirring.  I am loving her and babying her to the best of my ability!  Will do what needs done, as long as possible.

YES!  God watches over the tiny birds, the flowers, the critters great and small, and YOU and ME!  That is special.

MY week:

• I did go out Monday to fill my gas tank.  I had .90 per gallon discount to use and had to use before the end of the month.  It was going to snow, so I went out and filled the tank.  I ended up paying 2.31 per gal.!  I had such a good discount, because last month I got 4X points on GC's I purchased for gifts.  Win - win!
• I stopped at the bank and cashed a $180 check I received in the mail.
• I made a batch of homemade biscuits.
• Moved a lot of slush and snow - we had such a slushy wet mix mid-week.  It was heavy!!!!!!!!
• Thawed a pound of ground sausage - used part in a dish I made and sliced patties and cooked and then froze for later.
• I found a partial pack of eggroll wrappers in the freezer.  They had been in there for ages!  I sliced into strips, spritzed with oil and salt - and baked a few minutes until crisp.  Great fun and they were good on my dinner one day and I just ate the rest.  No waste.
• NO grocery or any other shopping this week
• Laundry catch-up.
• LOTS of extra laundry and cleaning with Fluffy accidents - that is OK
• Using what I have, using leftovers, and trying to make some different foods.
• Just normal cleaning and dusting and vacuuming

My meals this past week:

Broccoli/cauliflower sauté over rice - topped with bacon crumbles

TOTchos - nachos made over tator tots!

Egg, cheese and spicy summer sausage biscuits

Taco/cheese beef hotdogs and green beans

Egg roll in a bowl - used the strips I made on top!  

Beef Manhattan made with biscuit - mashed potatoes

Baked potato topped with corned beef (freezer) and Swiss cheese

                                                                TOTchos - very good

                                                        My yummy 'meal' biscuits

SNACKS - had 2 small waffle sections (freezer) with peanut butter, an extra hotdog, leftover mashed potatoes, biscuit w/jelly, oranges and green beans.

Weird snacks - but using up leftovers!!!!!! - All was tasty.

How has your week been?  I hope you maybe found some deals and bargains.  Is the weather nasty where you are?  We had an icky day or 2 - but just normal after that - yesterday was much warmer.

Love hearing what everyone is up too.

I hope you all have a safe and healthy week.  I pray for each of you.

Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.

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Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:6

Lord, Decisions do not come easily for many of us.  We have made mistakes and falter at times.  When we give it to You, You guide us and help us on our journey.  When grief engulfs us, keep us in Your arms and help us on the path forward.  Guide us to make the wisest decisions and help lead us to the right direction.  We thank You for each and every blessing we receive each day.  Amen

Prayer is our acknowledgment of needing God in our life,

One of Those Days

 Life can take a lot of turns.  It can give us lemons and it can give us lemonade.  You all know I try my darndest to be upbeat and happy - even through sad times. I am a proverbial optimist - a Pollyanna if you will.  I do know there is far more good in our lives than bad - we just have to realize it.

Some days are harder than others.

UPDATE:  My niece has no brain activity, and the family made a decision to remove life support.  That will be done on Saturday at 2PM.  That gives her mom, one of her sister's and her one daughter time to get here from another state, and her other sister and child to get there to say good-bye.  Such a sad situation.  My heart hurts for them all.

I totally understand though.  Just being hooked up to all those tubes is not living - it is existing.  Her soul needs to be free.  I haven't seen her in many years due to her estrangement with family, but I will still miss her and I love her.

I do believe my Fluffy has gone off to end her life on this land.  She is here every single day and never leaves the property.  She is the daintiest kitty I have ever had.  Lately she has been VERY talkative and oh so loving.  She has cuddled and wanted pets and combing more than any other time.  Maybe I should have seen that as a sign.  I thought she was just getting closer with me due to older age.

She ate wonderfully yesterday, chased a birdie, pottied fine, and we loved and cuddled before I brought their food in for the night.  It is still dark out - but at first light, I will be out looking.  It hurts my heart that she would go away to die.  She is 13, and has always been an outdoor baby with no wanting to come inside.

I may be wrong - but I doubt it.

Blackie seemed confused this morning too - when I went out to feed.  He ate - but kept looking all around the greenhouse and smelling everything.

I do believe that now I am down to one!

It stinks when your furbbies get older.  You just never know.  Blackie is still relatively young at about 5 years old.

I will try to see goodness in the day, in spite of things.  I got up healthy this morning.  The snows weren't as bad as they called for yesterday.  I have so much of my family and friends still on this earth.  I have memories that sustain me.  I have God in my heart.

I have all of you.

UPDATE:  This little Fluff butt showed up!  Don't know what was going on as she never leaves.  She was ravenous too!

Thank you for kind thoughts.  She just MAY have to become a house cat - whether she wants to or not!

She sure scared this Momma.

Make each and everyday count people.  SMILE and LAUGH when you can.  Make someone else smile and laugh.  Do goodness all the time.  Hold your loves close.

I am not looking for sympathy at all.  There are so many people going through so much in this world, and I am but one.

Just a reminder to be all you can be and spread happiness and love when you have the chance.  Accept love and joy in any way it is offered to you.

Have a blessed day my friends.

What we ate Back in the Day!

 I guess this kind of goes along with yesterday's post of finding new ways to use what you have.

When I was growing up, my folks didn't have a lot of money, so we didn't get a lot of specialty store bought stuff.  I came along 10 years after the other kids - so they really had it rougher.  Mom had a lot more to feed then!!!!

Mom's grocery budget was $15 from my first memory.  Then at some point (I think in my teens) it got raised to $25!  She sure did a good job of shopping wisely and feeding us all well.

There never a Sunday that I can remember that there wasn't a lot of extended family that just SHOWED UP right at dinner time!  They all got fed - even if mom didn't. She would just say, "I'm not hungry".

We had a lot of basic meals.  I also have heard the stories of my siblings about some of the super BUDGET meals.  We ate what there was and we were always full.

I remember that most Sundays the meal was fried chicken and all the sides.

Saturday evenings was always hamburgers, homemade French fries or homemade baked beans.

My siblings remember when things were at the end of the groceries and they ate simply.  Bowls of cornbread topped with milk, was an end of the month food.  A big pot of beans also was kept going on the wood stove. (I don't remember the wood stove).  They ate simply, but never went hungry.

When the siblings were growing up - there were chickens and rabbits and a couple goats.  I missed all that!!!!!

We can do the same - but people seem to think they are being deprived today.  I find that kind of sad.

Click on picture to enlarge.  Cake - no eggs, milk or butter needed.  Called depression cake.

What we ate a lot of:

Spaghetti - homemade sauce (not always w/meat)

Tomato soup (homemade) and a sandwich

Chipped beef gravy over toast or biscuits/scones - I still love that

Cornbread

Oatmeal (a lot) - I think why I don't like it today

Rice pudding

PBJ - sandwiches used homemade bread

Tuna casserole

Soup beans

Veggie soup or potato soup

Potato pancakes w/leftover potatoes

Fish - daddy would catch

Lots of biscuits/scones

We ate many a tomato or cucumber or onion sandwiches (still a fav) in the summer

ALL things that were grown in the 1/4 acre garden. Mom froze and canned

We had grapes, raspberries and fruit trees

Chicken and noodles was a real treat - mom made the noodles from scratch (Mmmmm)  I miss those

Fried cornmeal mush

ALL sweets were homemade.  I truly think I was in my teens before I had store bought cookies!

Mom made cake, pie, cookies, candy, popcorn balls, cobblers, you name it!!!!!!  We LOVED it!

Popcorn was an evening snack (dad grew it in the garden).  If mom was in the mood, she made homemade potato chips.  They were such a wonderful treat.

Bologna was cheap back then - so once in a while there would be bologna sandwiches and daddy loved fried bologna.  A treat.

Baking goods and meat was about the extent of what mom bought at the store.  NO canned soups or veggies or fruit.  We used what we grew.  The meals were often very heavy on veggies, with just a small serving of meat.

When I was little we didn't have chickens (they did with the other kids), but we had a neighbor who raised chickens - there was always trades for meat and eggs.

 

There was NO fast food or restaurants - maybe a drink if we were on a trip.  We took food with us.  No junk food, other than homemade things.  No soda pop on a regular basis (that was a treat).

Life was simple - we were well fed - and we never complained or really knew any different.  That was how most people around us ate as well.

MAYBE if people could let go of their ego's, they would see that one can survive and survive well on a whole lot less.  

I think if many people cut out the junk food, the convenience foods and all those specialty drinks, they could save a bundle.

Even when funds were slim - we had a good life.  I am so glad I was raised the way I was.  It made me appreciate a lot of the simpler things in life.  

I like simple and slow paced.

Just a step back in time.

There are many beautiful reasons to smile and be thankful.

Waste Not - Use It!!!!

We have all heard to term - waste not - want not.  So very true.  If you raise your own food or buy groceries, why would you want to waste any of the efforts?  Use every bit you can in some new and different way!  There are a lot of uses that most people would never think of.

CARROT TOPS AND GREENS

Did you know that carrot tops, or those of beets, radish, turnips, etc. are all edible?  Yes they are.  They have a lot of vitamins and nutrients as well.  I have cooked radish and turnip greens many times and they are tasty.  Each has a different flavor.

You can also use these greens to make pesto!!!  It doesn't have to be just basil!!!!!  You would need about 2 cups chopped, to blend with your oil mixture and seasonings.

BOCCOLI STEMS

Most people think they are tough and just trash them.  I peel them, cook as normal, and they are my favorite bite!!!!  They are so yummy.

You can also slice very thinly, drizzle with oil and seasoning and bake at 400* for about 30-40 minutes for a veggie chip!

CITRUS PEELS

Lightly zest what you can and freeze for future use.  Also use the peels to make a zero waste all-natural all-purpose cleaner.  I have listed the method before.  It works nicely, smells good, and it also helps keep ants at bay!!!!

BANANA PEELS

Many people use them to shine and clean the leaves on their house plants (and shoes).  Rub them over a bug bite to stop the itch.  They can be eaten as well!!!!!!  Chop and add to smoothies.  Bake with sugar or honey.  Caramelize with sugar and water - tasty on ice cream. 

The peels are full of essential nutrients and vitamins!!!!!

APPLE SCRAPS

Use the cores to make apple cider vinegar.  2 C sugar, 2 C water and many apple cores.  Let it ferment for a few weeks.

Use leftover peel to make apple scrap jelly.  Very tasty.  Also, can bake with a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon - what a tasty treat.

You can make jelly with peels from peaches or any cling fruit.

You can also dehydrate peels and scraps and make fruit powders - so good to add to smoothies, Jell-O or pudding or on top of ice cream.

POTATO SKINS

Bake them!!!!!!  Top with cheese or any other goodies and bake until skin is crispy.  These used to be purchased at many restaurants and were a costly appetizer.  Lots of vitamins in the skins.

WATERMELON RINDS

Pickle them!  It seems to be a midwestern thing - but they sure are tasty.  Mom used to make pickles and can them.

VEGGIE SCRAPS

Onion skins, scrapings, butt ends, stems, etc. - keep in a container or baggy until you have enough (in freezer) to make veggie stock.  You can also add this to meat bones and scraps for an extra tasty meat stock.

STALE BREAD

Oh my - many uses.  Breadcrumbs, croutons, dressing bread.  Use to make bread pudding or French toast.  Many, many uses.

COFFEE GROUNDS

Yes, it is good for the garden - but it is also great for a facial scrub!!!! 1/4 C grounds (used), 1/4 C brown sugar and 1/4 C coconut oil.  Mix together in a small container and use to scrub your face - your face feels so fresh and clean afterwards.  Rinse with cool water.

OLD BAKING SODA

It may be outdated and not working in baking - but it doesn't mean it is done.

Sprinkle on rugs and carpets - let it set a while and then vacuum.  Removes a lot of stale smells.  Use the open box in the refrigerator or freezer to collect smells.  Use in the bathroom as a dusting powder for underarms as a deodorant.  Use with peroxide and use as a tooth whitener.  (My dentist recommends this once a week).  Use as a cleaner in the kitchen and bath.  Use on a damp rag and scrub the oily stove and counters.

Leftover and stale SODA POP - use as flavoring liquid when baking.  Also use to make Jell-O - it adds a lot of fun flavor.  You can also freeze into cubes to use in flavoring drinks and it doesn't water them down.

MILK that is starting to get just a tad off - make biscuits or waffles or pancakes.  Mom always made biscuits with soured milk.  You can freeze into cubes and use in smoothies.

STALE CHIPS, CRACKERS, or NUTS

Place in the oven for a while to freshen up!  They will crisp up and still be tasty.  Now you want to make sure nuts are just stale and not rancid.  I even crips up chips and crackers in the microwave - just start with about 30 seconds and see what happens.

GROW food from scraps.  I have started celery and Romaine lettuce from the intact butt ends.  I start in water until I get roots - then I plant in pot.  It isn't the big plant I bought - but it is something I can use!  Also, people do this with green onions - they use the green part and plant the white bulb.  I have always eaten the entire thing!  Maybe that is a Midwest thing as well.  We never wasted any part.

I have chives I can cut for greens and I also use wild onions from the yard in the spring.

STOCK/BROTH

Use up those leftover bones, skin, fat scraps from any kind of meat.  Add water and cook until you get a nice deep colored stock.  So good and good for you.  It tastes nothing like the stuff you buy.

TOUGH SCRAPS - ENDS

I take the tough ends of asparagus and dehydrate them.  Then I run it through the coffee grinder for asparagus powder.  Adds a lot of flavor to cream of asparagus soup!  I do the same with large and too tough okra pods.  I dehydrate them and turn into powder.  It is a natural thickener for soups and stews and adds vitamins as well.

OK - the list goes on and on!!!!!!  Sure, most of these things can be added to compost or can feed the chickens - but I like using them for human consumption too!

Things cost a lot today and it is necessary to use up all we can.

I find it a challenge to come up with ideas to re-make things.

You have any different and new ideas?

I look forward to learning something new!!!!!!!

STRETCH THOSE FOOD SCRAPS!

 

Weekly Wrap Up 1/22

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

Winter seems to have come to my town!  The week started out pretty warm and decent - this morning it is snowing.  I don't think it will be a lot - but it is white!  The weather this week looks to me normal winter temperatures - no warm stuff.  Oh well, it was bound to happen.

The squirrels are nuts!  I have seen more squirrels in my yard and the neighbors this week, than I have ever seen before.  They are everywhere!!!  They are also quite frisky, if you know what I mean!  LOL

Tons of birds out there - I am trying to cut back on feeding them some - so they are doing a great job cleaning up after the squirrels.  Seeing 3 different types of woodpeckers, and still seeing the occasional robin.

My week was quiet:

• Of course, I had the family in town on Sunday - much fun.  So quiet once they left.
• Had my financial guy come for a review on Wednesday - pleasantly pleased considered the market.
• Been using leftovers and freezing what I can't eat right away.
• Ran to the library and dropped off, picked up and renewed my library card.
• Been doing a lot of reading this week.
• Cleaned out more drawers.
• While out to library, I did run in WM Marketplace to check cat food supplies.  They had one type canned I have a very hard time finding (that cats love) - so I bought a case of 24.  Got them some treats as well.
• No other grocery shopping - need nothing
• General cleaning
• Eating leftovers, all meals from home

Meals this past week:

Smorgasbord I made for family

Chili and crackers

Ham & cheese sliders and salad

Loaded baked potato - chili, cheese & sour cream

Long grain/wild rice w/broc. added, chicken strips, and fresh veggies

Pork fried rice - used leftovers to make

Mac topped with salsa, smoked sausage and salad

SNACKS - oranges, fresh veggies, Triscuits and cheese, snack mix

How was your week?  Any good deals?  What have you all been doing on these winter days?  This month is such a blah time - it is hard to motivate some days/weeks!  I took this week off for the most part - need to get back to being busy this week.

FRANCES - just a note - please do not stop commenting!  I will check the behind the scenes stuff daily.  Not sure why your comments go there sometimes.  Sorry.

HILOGENE and KIM - if you are reading, please know that you have been on my mind.  I pray for you both every day.  Praying your life is calming a little - I know nothing is normal.  HUGS

I would like to ask for prayers please.  My adult niece (R) was hit by a car on Monday evening (as a pedestrian).  She was not expected to make it through the night - miraculously she did.  She has endured back surgery, 2 leg surgery's, she has a tube to reduce swelling on the brain, and a breathing tube.  Sadly, this is the 2nd time she has been hit in 2 years.  She only a few months ago got out of a nursing home.

Her life has been tragic and sad (due to bad decisions).  She has 2 adult daughters, and they were both there this week (another miracle).  They have all been estranged for years.  She is now not doing as well, and they believe breathing tube will be changed to trach, and brain activity is minimal.  I don't know how many more miracles we can expect - it doesn't look good for her.  I know God's Will be done.

I ask you pray for her, but especially her daughters, her mom and sisters for peace and comfort.  Also, for the person that hit her (it was an accident).  I cannot imagine what they are feeling.  Thank you.  This is such a sad situation.

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

Wishing you all a safe and healthy week.  Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.

God bless you all.

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

He will shield you with His wings.  He will shelter you with His feathers.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day.

Psalm 91:4-5

Lord, please help us to put our trust in you.  Whether at home or out - we know we have Your love and You protect us.  The world seems scary, and many have suffered - just help us to face all things with trust and knowing that You are with us.  Shield us, from our own fears.  AMEN

Today's affirmation:

Super Easy Meal Ideas for Pennies

 We all eat differently and we all like different things.  I have never made meals complicated - even when cooking for two.  G was never real picky, and he didn't care if he had one thing or several - he just liked to eat.  Me too.  If I am full - that is what matters.  

There are many things that can be made for pennies.  We CAN stretch that grocery budget - it just takes a little thought.  Use up what you have and re-invent leftovers in new ways.  No waste.  

We all know the basics:

SOUPS

CHILI

These are pretty basic.  Soups can be anything.  Whatever you have - put it together with some broth or stock or tomato base - veggies, pastas, rice, meat pieces = SOUP!

Mac n Cheese - add some leftover taco meat, hamburger, tuna, chopped hotdog, sliced smoked sausage, maybe some peas or broccoli - whatever you got.  Add maybe a side of salad or veggie of any sort and you have a filling meal

Pancakes or waffles - serve as is or with a side of meat or eggs.

Biscuits and gravy or toast and gravy.  You can make toast from older buns, bread or even use English muffins or bagels - whatever you have.  Gravy is so inexpensive and easy to make

Cabbage or kraut and sausage or hotdogs.  Maybe add mashed, fried or smashed potato as a side.  Super tasty and little cost.  Above is a little baked and smashed potato that is fried.  Mmmmm 

Fried rice or lo-mein.  Throw in all the leftover veggies, bits and bobs of meat and a little seasoning and BOOM you can have a meal in a pan.  So super easy.  A little rice or a little cooked spaghetti (use for lo-mein) - easy - and so very frugal

Burritos are so easy and use up any leftovers or you can make breakfast ones as well.  Makes for a great meal.  Top with veggies, eat plain, or top with sauce

Same type of tortilla used as a roll-up.  A little fresh veg, maybe leftover meat, cheese and some dressing.  Roll it and eat it.  Less calories than a sandwich with bread.  Tortillas can be purchased pretty darn cheaply or you can make your own for just pennies.  They are so super easy to make!

Baked potatoes - top with just butter or use whatever you have.  Top with leftover stew, chili, cheese, taco meat, sour cream or dip, a little ranch dressing, cheesy veggies - you name it.  There is no limit to the toppings.  I can make a nice baked potato with toppings and maybe a side salad and I am more than full.

Spaghetti - some pasta (use what you have) and sauce.  Can add meat or not.  Can top with cheese or not.  Can add garden veggies.  Such an easy and versatile meal.

Tuna patties - use tuna instead of salmon.  I can of tuna will make one large patty or 2 smaller ones.  I add cracker, breadcrumbs, or crushed chips of any sort for a binder with an egg.  Fry.  Above is a sandwich made with the tuna patty and served with leftover corn & Brussel sprouts - sauteed together.

Goulash - in my area - that is macaroni, ground beef, tomato sauce and a little cheese.  I know different regions of the country call other things goulash.

Throw in some cut up bell peppers and use rice instead of pasta, and you have unstuffed pepper skillet!!!!!!

A bowl of rice or pasta - with any assortment of leftover veggies or meat or gravy or sauces on top.  

Homemade pizza - a favorite for me.  You can make a traditional pizza, use - tortillas, English muffins, French bread, hamburger or hotdog buns, whatever you have on hand.  Add a little sauce (spaghetti sauce is fine) or add some salsa - whatever.  Top with just veggies or just meat or combo.  Add anything your heart may desire.  Any type of cheese.  I make up French bread pizza (now a fav) and - this will make at least 4 meals - if not more (with added side salad).  I bake, cut and freeze leftovers for quick meals later.  

I get the bread when it is on clearance for $1 or less a loaf and use whatever I have in my frig.  It really is a cheap meal.  So easy.  There are NO rules.

Maybe this will give someone and idea or two for something different to make.  Meals do NOT need to be complicated - they need to fill you and nourish you.  They do not need to cost hardly any money.  There are so many ways to stretch those food budgets.  You can make these meals for one or more.

Use what you have - you will be amazed at how many choices you can have and how little money you will spend.

HAVE FUN!!!!!

Surround yourself with people who are good for your spirit