Weekly Wrap Up 10/5

 Happy Sunday to all.  Hope this finds all well and safe.  I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that it is October!  I mean seriously.  Time is flying by so fast, and the holidays will be here in no time.  I just can't get my head around it all.

It is still 2 seasons per day.  Fall feeling in the morn and summer feel in the late afternoon.  I now have cracks again in the back yard - it is very dry again.  Looks like we may get some rain Tuesday - but according to radar, not a lot here.  We will cool to fall like temps for a couple days later in the week, then back to warm again.  I sure do like this weather.

It seems that in my area, it is stink bug, small fly, and sweat bee season!!!!  The stinky ones are everywhere.  The little flies are like Velcro!  They attach to you when you go out without you knowing it, and then you bring them in!  Those little bees are everywhere as well.

My backyard looks like a mini war zone!  The squirrels collect the walnuts down the alley, and then come to my yard (I guess they feel safe) and plant them!  They dig little places all over.  LOL

My week was pretty calm.  

My frugal week:

• Received a $5 off at least a $5 purchase from the local hardware store (for birthday month).  Will go visit at some point this month
• Froze the 2nd container of chili my niece sent home with me
• Made a bowl of the Pay Day candy/nut mix with items I had here
• Cut up 2 old t-shirts into hankies
• Mowed and trimmed the entire back yard (and back 40) - boy was it dusty as I mowed.  There were a lot of stringy weeds & leaves
• Lots of walks
• Cut my hair (it sure needed it)
• Made a bowl of tom/cuke/onion salad to eat on over the week
• Washed a few windows
• Deadheaded more flowers from out front and cleaned out the front beds some more
• Shared lots of tomatoes - green and red.  I heard a neighbor had been craving fried green tomatoes, so gave her some green ones
• Picked around 15 lbs. of tomatoes and peppers
• NO grocery shopping
• Using what I have and cooking at home
• AC off most of the time
• Just working on the fall clean

My menu this past week:

Chili and crackers

Chili, sour cream baked potato

BLT and cut up fresh veggies

Green beans/potato/sm. sausage, and sliced tomatoes

Burger topped with sauteed peppers and cheese (no bun) and tom/cuke/onion salad

Half chicken breast, fried green tomatoes and salad

Homemade pizza hot pockets (freezer) and salad

SNACKS:  salad, fruit, apple & PB, candy/nut mix

Pretty quiet and easy.  This weekend it is quiet around here as many of the neighbors are gone for the weekend.  Heck, yesterday I even did 2 nice walks. It was so pretty out.

Seems life is just flying by so quickly.  I hope you are taking time to enjoy as well as prep for winter.

Prayers that everyone has a blessed week ahead.  May you all be safe, healthy and happy in the upcoming week.  

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

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Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.  For thy steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to thee.

Proverbs 26:2-3

Lord again we come forward and give thanks for all the blessings we received each day.  Help us each to keep our faith no matter the test.  Faith is unending and felt, to me it is just being.  Let us all do good for others, and pray for all, friends and foes.  Help us to be Your soldiers here on earth.  AMEN

Pantry Prep - Getting Ready for a New Season

 Hello all - hope this finds you all well and safe.  It is a lovely day here so far.  The sunrise was just beautiful this morning.  Pinks, oranges against the blue - it was lovely.  It is a cool fall morning but will return to an 80's summer day later on!  Yep, we get to enjoy 2 seasons each day.

Many have been talking about and taking action, to get ready for the winter season.  Pantry preps always come to mind when the seasons change.

We all want to save as much money as possible from new purchases, we want to have plenty in our homes for various reasons, and then there are the holidays.

There are several things we can all do right at home to prepare and add to the pantry.  They cost very little, and they are healthy options.

I know I have listed some of these before - but we always get new people reading, and I like to remind our regulars of creating at home.

Click on recipe to enlarge for easier reading.

This is great to mix up and have on hand for soup or for adding to another type of soup, casseroles etc.

Cream of soups can be costly at the store, and they contain a lot of 'stuff' we don't necessarily want in our food.  Make up a batch of this and add in whatever you want to make your own versions of cream of!!!!

Here is a basic outline for creating casseroles for a quick night's dinner using what you have around the house (including leftovers).  This was originally listed by Amy of the Tightwad Gazette.  I have used this outline many times over the years.

It can sure make a tasty meal for next to nothing.

End of the season and end of the garden and have a bunch of green tomatoes to use?  Can them and you can use them all winter long.  I do this almost every year.  It is super easy to do, and I can enjoy one of my favorite things during the winter!!!!

Once you drain these and then batter - fry and they taste just like fresh!!!!!

Make your own ranch mix.  You can make dressing or dip.  I have most of these ingredients on hand all the time - and it is so easy to whip up.  No fillers or preservatives in this mix!

If you do not have dried chives - you can dehydrate the tops to green onions and use.

It is just nice to have many of the basics on your shelves for any type of use.  Life gets hectic and busy at times, and it is nice to just not fret and about what is in the pantry.

Hope everyone is taking inventory and looking to add some great homemade goodies to your shelves and your belly!!!!

Some of these would make Christmas gifts and goodie bag additions as well!!!!

Have a glorious day, be happy and be kind.

Forgotten Recipes - Let's Give Them a Try!

 Hello all.  Another cool morn here - it is 58*F at the moment - going up to 80's today.  Yesterday was so nice - the sky was a beautiful blue, hardly a cloud to be seen until later in the day.  It was breezy and just lovely.  I keep AC off until late afternoon (if at all).

Saw a bunny running down the alley yesterday morning!  Mr. 'Hog' has decided this is not the place to be now.  He can't seem to get under the shed to hide now (after I fixed) so I haven't seen him since.

I just came in from feeding the critters and Licorice.  There is a stray showing up now and then (very nice), so I gave it a little food.  It acts starved but then just eats a little.  I see it mousing outside a lot!!!  Good kitty!

I was going through some recipe books yesterday and came across one I had forgotten I had.  It is called Forgotten Recipes.  They are recipes that were in magazines way back in the day.

I am going to share a couple of them - because they sound yummy to me.

Some I would not be challenged to try - but others sounded yummy.  These are all from the time of the depression and before when there wasn't a lot of money.

1927 PEANUT BUTTER BREAD

2 C flour

4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/3 C sugar

1/2 C peanut butter

1 1/2 C milk

Sift all the dry ingredients together, then add peanut butter.  Beat the mixture well.  Now add milk; beat well.  Pour batter into a well greased bread pan and bake at 350* for one hour.  Makes one large loaf or 2 small ones.

 

I am going to try this one for sure!  I can imagine slicing, toasting and topping with butter and jelly!!!

1944 GREEN TOMATO PIE

"On the 'home front' women were trying to cope with the meat shortage with recipes like this one."

Double crust - for 9" pie

1/2 C sugar

2 Tbsp. flour

Grated rind of 1 lemon

1/4 tsp. ground allspice

1/4 tsp. salt

4 C sliced green tomatoes

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

3 Tbsp. butter

Line a pie pan with one crust.

Mix sugar, flour, lemon rind, allspice and salt together.  Sprinkle a little in the bottom of pie crust.

Arrange tomato slices, a layer at a time, as you cover each layer with the sugar mixture, lemon juice and a dot of butter on each slice.

Cover with a latticed top (2nd crust) and bake at 350* for 45 minutes.

Sounds good to me!  Definitely something I would try at the end of the season.  Great way to use up those end of season green tomatoes.

1943 BAKED BEAN SANDWICH

I have done baked beans on toasted bread before (sort of a sandwich) - but this is different! 

1 C baked beans

1/4 C chopped walnuts

1/4 C chopped celery

2 Tbsp. minced onion

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. chopped pickle

2 Tbsp. ketchup

Serve on buttered whole wheat bread

Combine everything, except bread.  Mix well.  Spread on buttered bread.  Makes about 1 1/2 C.

Folks used what they had to get creative and make food and meals stretch.  They HAD to.  

I know mom did a lot of different things to stretch the dollars and the ingredients.  There wasn't much that she made that I didn't like (except cooked oatmeal!).

As people today try and navigate through the supplies they have - it is always fun to take a trick or two from those that came before us.

I will post more later on.

Make everything into something.  Don't waste.  THRIVE!

Do you remember or have any fun things that was off the norm?  I bet you do.

Have a wonderful day on this first day of October!  

Make this the month of being creative and using it all up!

9 down and only 3 to go!

 Howdy all.  Here we go ending another month!  Yesterday was 89*(F) here - but it really didn't feel bad.  Today will be around 87* they say.  Looks like it will be in the 80's for at least the next 7-10 days and not much of a chance of precipitation at all.  Summer just isn't letting go.

We are now at this point in the seasons.  Time for fall festivals and soon the end to farm markets.  Most all the farm markets conclude here in October.  Crafty sales will be starting, and the thoughts will go towards thinking of holiday gifts.

I had a pretty good September.  I got to see lots of family and friends. That is always good.  The garden has been producing a lot and still is.

Can you believe we have now made it through 9 months of the year???  Seems like just yesterday it was NY day!  Time has flown by, so you know the next 3 months will be gone in a flash!

Let me show you a couple things I got this month.

Here are the sweet little ornament that I received from Cookie.  She does the nicest work and is always thinking of others.

Look at this cute container.  This is what my niece sent chili home with me in.  She had several of them.  They are REUSABLE!  I can put my hand on the lid and spread my fingers, so it is pretty nice size.  I got 2 of them.  They would be so cute to use for snacks or treats.  I don't know where she got them, and I well imagine they weren't cheap.  I bet they cost more than I would pay - but she doesn't worry much about those kinds of things!  She sent a lot of them home with people.

Plans for October for me.  This is homeowner's insurance month!  UGH.  It has gone up a LOT again this year.  I pay it once a year - so it isn't a surprise, I just hate giving them that money!

That is my big expense this month.

I need to get my plans together and start some gifts I am thinking about making for the littles for Christmas.  I want to make some stuffed patchwork cuddly toys.  A dinosaur, a cat and a couple Mini Mouse items.  Maybe a baby blanket if there is time - I will be getting another new gr.gr. niece sometime this month!

I plan on not shopping much in October.  I have gone through all my supplies - of all sorts - and there truly is no need to shop for much.  I may hit a farm market sometime this month or the orchard to get apples but really need nothing.  It isn't about saving money, it is about trying to use up the older items and using what I have.  I am chronic about buying the 'deal'.  Well, it doesn't make much sense to have all this stuff and not use it.  DUH!  So, this will be a month of use it.

As for fresh - I still have lots of fruit, I have tomatoes and peppers out the wazoo - and I have veggies and fruit in the freezer and canned.  I won't need milk for a couple weeks+, nor cheese or butter.

I want to continue to clean for 'fall' cleaning.  I have kept the windows open a lot lately and there seems to always be dust, and those darn dust bunnies everywhere!  I want to continue to declutter in the basement - just so much that hasn't been used in years.

BUT I also want to enjoy the month and the season.

What do you have planned for October?  I love hearing what everyone is up to, and it often gives us all good ideas!  Give us a shout!

Have a super day and enjoy this last day of September.

Do what you can, with what you, where you are!

Weekly Wrap Up 9/28

 Happy Sunday all.  Hope you are all well and safe this fine day.  Here we are again at the last Sunday of the month!  It feels like anything but fall around here.  Fall is playing hide and seek I believe!  We are to get in the high 80's (F) today and tomorrow, and the 80's all week.  No humidity!  It feels like fall with chilly mornings, then in no time the temps are back to warm.  Garden is still producing, and many flowers are still pretty.

                  A preview of what is to come.  Sure wouldn't want a fire around here, right now!

The hummingbirds were eating like crazy for so long, and then towards the end of the week - BOOM they are gone!  It is so sad.  I will sure miss my little flying jewels.  I will keep feeders out for a while, as strangers fly through.

I managed to get myself some poison ivy this week on my arm.  I had on long sleeves and gloves, while working in the yard, but I guess the shirt came up a bit and that spot got it!  It is so itchy.  At least it is improving.

My frugal week:

• I managed to pick about 40 lbs. of tomatoes this week.  I think the huge loads are done, but there are bunches still out there, they are still blooming and lots of little ones.  Picked peppers as well.
• Pickled some more peppers and put up a bunch of tomatoes
• I took the neighbor some tomatoes and I received some apples from the orchard and some sparkling grapefruit juice she didn't like (I love it)
• Spent Tuesday visiting with sis
• Cleaned the flowerbed right behind the house and then deadheaded and worked on the perennial bed out back.  Pulled out the cherry toms from pots and cleaned pots out.
• Had my oldest squirrel feeder come down, so I reinstalled that
• Actually mowed and trimmed the front yard (just some tall weeds)
• I curbed the shed a lot more - to help keep critters out from there - at least until after hibernating time
• Did fill gas tank for the month for 2.85/gal.  Saved .40 per gallon.  Neede less than a half tank
• Lots of laundry and used dehumidifier water - hung to dry
• Rode with my brother to my gr. nieces for a birthday event for nephew.  Had grilled hot dogs and chili and lots of goodies.  It was fun to see everyone.  She sent me home a bunch of chili!!!
• Lots of walks
• Received 2 very pretty fall/Halloween ornaments (homemade) from Cookie - she does such lovely work
• Just doing the regular stuff and keeping the AC off a lot

Meals this past week:

Fish sandwich and pasta salad

French bread pizza

Grilled cheese and fresh veggies/dip

Beef/veggies over cheesy rice and sliced tomatoes

Tuna patty, l/o rice with beans added, tom./cuke/onion salad

l/o beans and rice and loaded ham/cheese sandwich

Dinner at nieces

Snacks: fruit, tomatoes and cukes, cheese and crackers

There you have it.  A pretty frugal week and some things accomplished around here.  Oh, I got propositioned to do yet another t-shirt blankie for next spring for a gr.gr. nephews' graduation!  I guess they like them!

How was your week?  How is your weather?  Heard there is a lot of flooding in different areas, hope you are all safe.  

Wishing you all a lovely week ahead.  Be safe and stay healthy.

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

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The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness, "The Lord is my portion", says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

Lamentations 3:22-24

Dear Lord we thank You again for our week and all the blessings that we have received daily.  Prayers that we can all keep our eyes on You and Your loving ways.  May we all go forward and be the best that we can be and do for others every day.  Never let our faith and love wither.  Amen

Normalizing Can Save Dollars

 Hello to all.  Here we are again, coming upon a weekend.  It is supposed to be a lovely weekend in these parts.  This morning, I surprised to wake up hearing rain!  I really didn't think we were to get more, but we did.  After today, it looks like it will be dry for many days to come.

It is cool and gloomy this morning.  It sure doesn't look like we will have fall weather for a while.  They say the next week or two is supposed to be in 70's and 80's.  Forecast is for a warmer than normal October.  Love it!

Let's see, I have fed both kitties, fed the critters, washed my head, made the bed, and filled the seed containers.  I will soon go out for a walk.

Bitsy is in the window, watching the world go by - and Licorice is curled up on the glider on the porch napping after his breakfast.  We are all in slow mode!

Funny, I thought about going to the store to get a couple items and laid in bed last night and talked myself out of it.  I truly need nothing!  More than enough here.  Why the heck go?

Click on pic to enlarge for easier reading

Color me - ALL OF THESE!!!!!!

Goodness sakes, this is me.  I just live slow and simple and it is NORMAL for me.

I have many quality items that have been around for years and years - and they are still good.

My life is mainly around the home.

I make a lot of gifts for people.

I rest when I want.  I used to think naps were a waste of good time - not now.  I love a short catnap - it seems I actually sleep better on those days.  I find if I work hard, and no nap, I have a hard time sleeping during the night.

Porch sitting with neighbors (or alone) is a nice thing to do.

I walk a lot to get exercise - and yard work also helps with free exercise.

I have been trying to stay off the computer more.

I cook at home and enjoy the food.

I rarely pay full price for anything and love looking for a thrift bargain.

I make no debt - pay what bills I have on time.

I know how to say NO!  

I truly love the sound of 'quiet'!

None of these costs a thing.  It is normal and it is lovely.  You can save money and KEEP money in so many simple ways.  

I truly advise everyone to make these things normal in your life.  You really won't be sorry.

There is much to be said about peace and tranquility.

YEP!

That is a good reason why decluttering is a good idea.  The less 'stuff' you have the less 'stuff' you have to take care of and clean.  Sure, it is work to get to that point - but go slow and stay steady and you will get it done.

Appreciate the fact that sitting and watching and listening to nature, or reading a book, or talking with family or neighbors, or working around the yard is far better than fighting the crowds at a mall or on the road.

Slow and steady really does WIN!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend just chilling and enjoying the season.

Have a superbly wonderful day!

The Steps we Take

Hello all and happy Wednesday. Hope you are all well and safe.

It is a damp morning here - we got some more rain over night. I did not hear it at all - but everything is wet. YAY! So happy for it, as it is surely needed. Today should be in the 70's, which is perfect to me.

Today I want to share something I received a couple days ago. I think it says things perfectly.

The Stages We Walk

Life has always felt to me like a long walk down a familiar road.

When we’re children, the road is wide and full of wonder. We run barefoot, chasing fireflies, with knees scraped from riding bikes and bedtime stories whispered under blanket forts. We hold our parents’ hands, never worrying about how far the road might go. The world feels endless, and so do we.

In our twenties and thirties, the pace changes. We walk faster. We chase goals, careers, love, and the dream of building something that’s ours. Sometimes, we stumble. Sometimes, we sprint. These are the years of late-night deadlines, little league games, and family dinners squeezed between busy schedules. The road feels uphill, but the climb gives us strength.

By our forties and fifties, the road begins to level out. We are no longer running — we are walking with purpose. We carry children on our shoulders, mortgages on our backs, and hopes in our hearts. It is tiring, yes, but also beautiful. Because these are the years when we discover what truly matters: not the pace, but the company we keep.

Then, the sixties, seventies, and beyond. The road gets quieter. Our steps slow, but our eyes see more than they ever did before. We notice the shade of the trees, the softness of the breeze, the sound of laughter drifting from behind us. These are the years of holding grandchildren’s hands, planting gardens, and writing letters that will outlive us. We know the truth now: it was never about how fast we walked — it was about who walked beside us.

And one day, each of us will reach the end of the road. That part is not sad — it is simply part of the journey. Because even when our footsteps fade, the echoes remain in the hearts of those who loved us. The road continues for them, carrying pieces of us forward.

The lesson? Don’t rush the stages. Don’t sprint past the moments. Every chapter has its own beauty — from the barefoot days of childhood to the slower steps of old age.

Because in the end, life isn’t about how quickly we walked… but how deeply we loved along the way.

#fblifestyle

Yesterday, I spent the day with sis, and as usual we talked and talked. I learn things every time we visit. Being the youngest, I missed out on a lot of things that got done and shared. She is the eldest and saw it all. I lean things that MAYBE I wasn't supposed to learn!!! But they are being shared and I have a new look on family from the past. It is always evolving. I saw pictures I have never in 70 years seen. Pretty cool. Life just keeps giving.

As the 'story' says - the 60's, 70's, and beyond kind of slow and we see life differently. I really am enjoying this season of life. So many things that were missed in our busy lives before are seen and heard now.

Life is an adventure. It has seasons just like all things in nature. I hope you each enjoy the season you are in and make it something great. Pass on the stories, good and indifferent - it is part of your history and those just coming up. I so enjoy learning all the things. I feel it enriches my life. New lessons are learned.

Talk about those before you and those no longer here - it keeps them alive.

Enjoy the story. Enjoy life and your family and friends.

Today is one of a kind and will never come again. Make it special.

Have a blessed day all.