Just a Thing or Two to Save $

 Hello all.  Hard to believe we have almost finished another month.  One more day in October - tomorrow is Halloween.  I no longer do Halloween, just a bit scary all alone.  I used to pass out candy - but no longer.

It is a brisk morning, 45*F and a little breezy and very damp.  We had rain last evening and overnight.  It was much needed.  Been out and fed the critters and cat(s), and after eating Licorice went right in the greenhouse and got in bed!!  Smart kitty.

I sure didn't want to get up this morning - the bed felt so good.  Bitsy was having none of that!!

Just a few ways to preserve your food and save it and saving a few dollars along the way.

Hope you find something you can use.

• When buying bagged produce - always weigh it.  A 5lb. bag - may be 4lb. or 6 lb.  Get the most for your money
• Make sure produce is dry when purchasing.  Wet weighs more.  ALSO - I hear a lot of bad things about those produce sprayers (icky germs), so make sure you clean and dry at home before storing
• Always check the UNIT price.  Bigger is not always cheaper.  Sometimes you can get smaller packages much cheaper, sometimes bigger ones
• Shop ONCE a week or two weeks (however you go) - do NOT go back.  Sub or use something else.  Many shopping trips means more temptations to spend
• Have lots of basic seasonings on hand.  You can jazz up the blandest things and make them very tasty
• When you find an extra good deal on something - buy what you will need until the next sale comes around.  Usually every 6 - 8 weeks
• If you don't have buns for burgers - use bread.  Shape burgers to fit.  I toast the bread and it stays together while eating the sandwich, instead of getting soggy.  I prefer bread
• Beef is increasing in price - so remember you can sub ground pork, chicken or turkey in recipes for ground beef.  I know many don't like the taste of those - so add beef bouillon to them and it really improves the taste, making them more beef like!
• Check ethnic stores or the ethnic aisle for good deals.  I have purchased many of the same products in the ethnic aisle much cheaper than in the other parts of the same grocery!!!!
• Let older stale bread get bone dry and grind it up to make breadcrumbs (you can even season).  Also cut up older bread and dry - for dressing.  I always make my own.
• Line your produce drawers with paper towels or a cotton towel to absorb any moisture from fruits and veggies (outer moisture).  Helps things stay fresh longer
• Shop with a LIST and use cash if you are easily tempted to spend.  With cash you are limited to impulse buys.  I only impulse shop for CLEARANCE.
• Remember - FIFO = first in first out - always rotate your stock
• Find a deal on peppers, onions, celery - get them and chop and freeze.  Super easy and ready for adding to recipes
• Apples getting older -- peel and core and slice and make fried apples.  Add a little butter and some sweetness and cinnamon and you have a yummy side or dessert!  Soooo good.

According to the Economic Research Service, Americans waste more than 25% of the food they buy.  If you buy it - use it.  It cuts your costs, stops waste, and keeps it out of landfills (unless you compost).  Waste is just NOT cool!!

LEFTOVER candy from Halloween? 

Use 8 oz. of Milky Way candy bars

1/2 C butter

3 C rice crispy cereal

Melt candy and butter and stir until smooth and blended.  Stir in cereal and thoroughly coat.  Spread in a greased 7x11 pan and chill.  Cut into squares!  

EASY SPAGHETTI TOSS

1 - 10 oz. pack of spaghetti

1 - 10 oz. pack of frozen broccoli, peas, snow peas, whatever you like

2 Tbsp. butter

2 C chopped chicken (can use leftover or canned)

2/3 C stir fry sauce (or what you like)

Cook spaghetti al dente - stir in veggies and cook for another few minutes.  drain, add butter.  Spoon into a bowl and add cooked chicken and sauce.  Super simple and cheap - using what you have (get creative with it).

I make lo Mein with spaghetti all the time - using leftovers and soy sauce.

Do you have any useful tips for saving your goods or stretching them into something new and savory?

Love to hear your ideas.

Have a great end to your month.

ENJOY & be kind!

A Lost Art (?)

 Happy midweek to all.  I surely hope this finds you all well and safe.  It is a blustery morning here.  We are in the low 50's, breezy and sprinkles.  May get rain later today and tonight in our area.  Looks like southern part of the state and in many other areas are already getting rain.

For those in certain areas - don't forget the time change this weekend.  Turn those clocks back an hour.  I sure wish we could just pick one and keep it!!!

I so do believe this.  Be happy and love everything you have and have been offered in this world.

I do think good old home making has become a lost art to some point.  Many of us started small, and worked hard to buy a home, and then moved our way up.  Many of us kept that small one.  Today so many want instant gratification, and they want what mom & dad worked years for - NOW!  That causes big debt and many times the loss of the nice things.  It causes a lot of stress as well.

I know many partners both work, and then they hire cleaners to come in and take care of things.  They eat all their meals out - as 'they just don't have time'.  PRIORITIES!  People need to choose.

I know several members of my family have chosen to stay home and home school, and many have jobs that allow them to work from home (and make great money).  So, they do all the 'stuff' we were taught as we grew up.  I have so many of the younger ones, wanting ideas and recipes and things from 'grandma'.  I love that.

It is also going to come to pass (in my opinion) that people are going to need these ideas and skills.

Yes, we have technology now, and everything is modernized and tech driven.  I believe that may be our demise.  I think we are going to have to take a step back and learn to do for ourselves! 

Frugal/thrifty living is a means to an end.  It helps us save some money and conserve while perhaps saving for a goal.  A vintage way of life is not a bad one.  I am seeing more and more Vlogs promoting the simple ways of life today.  They are choosing to do the 'things' over going out and spending and having that second job.  They are choosing family life and a simple life.  That really warms my heart.

We need to get more practical.  Use what you have.  Love what you have.  Take care of what you have.

Learn to be creative in all aspects of life.  Cook from home and use 'ingredients' vs. buying premade items.

We are influenced every day at all times to BUY and GET the newest, brightest and fanciest gadgets.  Seriously, why do we need them?  Keeping up with everyone else?  Not this girl.  I could not care any less about the gadgets.  I will take my easy and simple life.

My home is small, it is old.  It is MINE!  I love its charm and coziness and quaintness.   I mean how much room does one need?

My stuff is older.  My vehicle is older.  I AM older!!!!!  It all works!

Learn to be creative in your home, your cooking, your yard, your crafts, your life.  Use and reuse things - not only does it save some funds, but it also saves things from the landfill and reusing things is a wonderful way of honoring this earth.  Learn new skills - we are never too old to learn.

Value teaching others - I think that is our greatest gift to the world - impart your knowledge on others.  They can't know and learn unless we teach.

Don't let things like homemaking and cooking and creating be a lost art.

A simple life really does make for a peaceful and non-stressed life.  

LOVE YOUR LIFE JUST AS IT IS.

Have a beautiful day.

Dropping Food Budget? There are Ways!

 Hello to all.  Hope you are well and safe.  It is a breezy 50*(F) this morning, going to 60*.  I think it may stay cloudy, but at least it is a decent temp.  We have sure had some beautiful sunrises and sunsets the past few days.  God is so good.

We have come to a time that many people are having their food budgets lowered and may be struggling.  With some thinking and careful use, you can survive and survive well.  I do hope that most of you have been adding the basics over time to your pantries, in with your weekly and monthly allotments.  Basics can work in so many ways.

You know my mantra - be creative and think outside the box.

Now I am not saying this should be a daily or normal way of eating (it can be), but today there will be ideas how to get through the rough times and eat and fill your families' bellies and not do without.

• We always talk about dry beans.  They are super cheap, they are healthy and good protein, and they can be cooked in a crockpot during the day while you are at work.  You can add rice, potatoes, bread etc. and have a very filling meal.
• Along those lines there are split peas - Mmmmm split pea soup.  Lentils are a great addition to soups and they can take the place of meat in many meals.  Lentil tacos can be made, add to chili, so many uses.  Both of these are cheap sources of protein as well.
• Soups - so easy to make.  Throw in whatever you have - can be canned, frozen or leftovers and make a hearty veggie soup.  Cream of soups are super easy to make and can add variety as well.  Think potato, broccoli, cauliflower - whatever you have.   Tomato soup and GRILLED CHEESE are a standard!
• PASTA - so versatile.  Spaghetti is everyone's first thought.  Yum - you know you can add veggies and not meat and still have a yummy spaghetti dinner.  Lasagna - again, you can go plant based instead of meat.  You don't even need lasagna noodles; use a layer of whatever pasta you have.  I one time added a random can of Ravioli as a layer to lasagna - tasty.  It still tastes the same.  Pasta can be added to any soup to extend it.  You can pour many things over pasta.
• RICE - again cheap and versatile. It too is a great extender of soups and casseroles, served under gravy or soups, fried rice (add in all leftovers), add to eggs for an extended scramble.
• Chili is always a winter favorite.  Add lots of beans and less meat.  You can serve over pasta or rice or add pasta to it.
• Breakfast for dinner - think pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy - all are super cheap to make and they all use basic pantry items.  Nothing fancy needed.  I love a dinner of biscuits and gravy - great comfort food!
• Pizza - a yummy and filling food.  It doesn't have to be just a pizza made on pizza crust.  You can use bread (I have used stale for this), buns, Naan, tortillas, bagels, English muffins, Italian bread (my favorite pizza), etc.  It is a great way to stretch bread products.  ADD any topping you have - leftovers included.  Chop leftover meat, make a veggie pizza, add mac & cheese, any sauce you have, you get the idea.  You can top with anything and have a hearty and filling pizza
• Leftovers - ALWAYS use in some way.  Soup, on pizza, Shepherd's pie, pot pies.  Recreate leftovers and fool those who say they don't like them!  Make stir fry - no limit to what you can use.
• Jello - add fruit (canned is fine).  Makes a nice treat.  Top with yogurt if you have some.
• Smoothies - add fruit to milk and ice or yogurt.  You can add greens or oats whatever you want to add bulk.  A smoothie can be a meal.
• Canned, fresh or frozen fruit can be a dessert.  Mix together some oats, a little flour, butter and brown sugar - to top the fruit and bake until golden.  You have cobbler.  Add fruit to muffins or sweet bread - they can make a nice breakfast.
• Oatmeal - can be topped with anything.  It can be served sweet or hearty.  Make baked oatmeal (only way I will eat it).  Baked is so good, add fruit, nuts, chips, anything you have.
• Peanut butter - NEVER forget this!!!!!  Peanut butter sandwiches are filling and a good protein.  You can add a slice of fruit and grill - oh nummy.  Add to stir fry and make an oriental flavored meal.  Add to oatmeal.
• Wraps or rollups.  These are great for leftover veggies, meat, cheese - even fruit.  They are fun and easy to eat.  Make a great quick breakfast or lunch.  You can also grill them and make a warm meal.  Don't forget EGG ROLL wrappers.  Make any kind of egg roll you can.  Again, add leftovers, fruit, shredded cabbage and soy sauce, etc.  I make them in my air fryer - 350* for about 15 minutes (turn once).
• Baked potatoes - super cheap and filling.  Top with anything you have around
• Cabbage is very versatile.  Fried, steamed, in soup, egg rolls, slaw, salads, cabbage rolls, etc.
• Never underestimate a pot of mac & cheese with a can of tuna added or a couple hotdogs cut up in it.  You can actually add any leftover meat you have.  Add a salad and/or some crusty bread and you have a meal.  Same with baked beans - add some cut up hotdogs and have beanie wienies. 
  

Just a few ideas to help stretch the food budget.  Nothing glamorous, but it will fill a belly.  THAT is what it is all about!!!  Not saying you have to eat like this always, although there is not a thing wrong with it, but it will stretch what you have, and it will help save money.

IF you are need, please remember there are food pantries in almost every community - GO!  There is no shame to feed your family.  I know many of the smaller ones around here, say they can't give away all the fresh items each week, and they give it to the volunteers.  So go and take what they give you.  Use it or trade it with someone.  Barter is still alive.

Remember you can have meatless nights - there are so many other proteins available.

Check out sites that give ideas on how to use what you have.  There are many out there.  My favorite has always been MyFridgeFood - there are others.

Many thrift stores offer bread products for free - check around.

While the stores have holiday foods on sale - take advantage of those.  Many items are much cheaper like potatoes, sweet potatoes, turkey, etc.  A super cheap turkey is a deal - you can't buy lunchmeat for the price you can buy a turkey.  It is healthier too.

Pasta, rice, beans, potatoes are all great extenders to just about any food.  They can make a 'couple servings' into 3 or 4.  Do what you need to do to feed your family.

I hope others add some of the ideas they have used to stretch their food.

YOU CAN DO THIS.  DO NOT PANIC!

I wish you all a lovely day.

PS - Gentle Reminder - NO POLITICS at all - just useful tips.

Weekly Wrap Up 10/26

 Hello to all.  Can you believe we are again on the last Sunday of another month?  It is less than 60 days now until Christmas!  You are welcome!!  LOL

It is finally fall in my area.  It feels it - although for the most part, it is nice fall weather.  The colors are finally starting to change some.  There is still a lot of green out there too.  Temps are cool, and not as many full sunny days.  Daylight hours sure have shortened.  I notice it the most in the mornings - it has changed my outdoor schedule.

Mr. Hog (groundhog) still has not gone into hibernation!  Amazing.  It is huge.  Probably because it is still eating and NOT hibernating!  Goodness, it is building up its winter fat.

It has been a fairly quiet week and just small projects again.

My frugal week:

• Made a small amount of green tomato relish (for me)
• Made a nice big bowl of tomato/cuke/onion salad - ate for meals and snacks
• Using the Soda Stream for carbonated fruit water
• Made a batch of brownies (had a sweet tooth)
• I went to lunch with grade school chums this week.  That is always a fun thing.  We had a really nice group this month.  Took several red and green tomatoes for who ever wanted them.
• Added extra bedding to the greenhouse and the little house for kitties
• NO grocery store this week
• Pulled out about half of the garden - remainder to follow in the next few days
• Cleaned out my closet, especially the floor
• Did stop at the feed store while out and got squirrel and bird feed
• Finally had to turn on the heat this week, as we had a couple nights of 30's.  It is set at 67* - and it has felt perfect
• Made a big pot of veggie/hamburger soup/stew (stoup).  Ate and froze some for later
• Put up the hoses for the winter
• Filling baskets, bins from supplies on hand.  Brought up some freezer goods from downstairs and took others from up to down
• A neighbor brought me a few slices of banana bread she just made

Meals this past week:

Cheese topped pozole over rice w/crackers

Grilled cheese/ham/tomato sandwich and l/o pozole

Hamburger hash and salad

Cheesy potato soup (freezer) salad

Homemade hamburger veggie stoup (threw in l/o hash)

Out to lunch w/friends - (House of Tokyo) - brought extra home for later that day

Veggie stoup and end of salad

Nothing exciting much, just daily living.  Oh, I did pay everything I had due, up through even November dates.  The house insurance and umbrella were in there - oh my!!!  At least that is done for another year.

How was your week?  Did you do anything fall-ish and fun?  Get any deals?  Fall cleaning?  

Give us a shout out and let us know what is going on in your world.

I hope this finds you all well and safe.  Please know I pray for you all and there are many that need those prayers - unspoken requests.  I hope you all have a lovely week ahead.

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

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

"Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

Lord we know that You are always with us, and You guide us.  Help us to realize that all things are answered, just not always as we expect.  Your will be done.  You know the reason and the outcome.  You are placing us everyone, where we need to be to do what we need to do in this world.  It is not always understood at the time.   Thank You for all out many blessings.  Amen

Progress

 Hello all.  Prayers all are safe and healthy.  It is a very chilly morning here.  It is definitely fall!  Sweatshirt and sweater weather is here.  I got up to a light frost in our area.  It was 38* and the coldest it has been since April!  UGH.  I know it is time, but I sure don't like cold weather.

Life changes for all of us, sometimes as often as daily.  Things happen that we just don't expect, things happen that we anticipate, and it is normal for things to change.  Change is our one constant!

As we are ready to enter a new season, we do things differently.  We prep for the holidays and for winter (spring in other places) and we can be guaranteed we get older each day and things change with us as individuals as well.

As we age, things move slower.  We move slower.  We look at things differently as well.  Some things are not as important as they used to be.  That is normal.

You gals with kiddos, notice change as well, as your children age.  Nothing stays the same.

Progress - any progress - is good.  You don't have to change overnight.  Baby steps and slow and steady are just fine!

Adding to your pantry, lowering a bill or two, paying off a small bill, rearranging a room, decluttering a little, it is all progress.

Be proud of what you get accomplish, it all matters.  Just keep plugging away.  Some days we all feel like what is the point.  That is normal too.  

A calm home (a decluttered home is calmer) a simple meal, peace of mind about finances, being in LOVE with your life - it is all progress.

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will get there.  It isn't a race.

May you all have a blessed and peaceful day.

Whatever you put your mind to this weekend, ENJOY!

Magic - Material Misfits Can be Fun!

 Hello all.  Hope you are all well.  It is a brisk morning here.  I actually put the hood up on my sweatshirt when outside this morning - not that it did much good!  It is still very breezy out there.  Yesterday it looked pretty to start the day, then got cloudy and we had spitting rain and WIND!  Like 40mph gusts.  Licorice was scared of the wind and hid a lot.  He did eat some - but boy was he hungry this morning!  He ate and ate, then went in the greenhouse and curled up on his blanky.  Sweet boy.

It is still windy but not as bad as yesterday.  Supposed to be sunny!

Ok, I have resisted talking about holiday stuff now, but it is getting closer and closer, and some things need to be started now.  I know we have a lot of crafty folks that stop by here, so today is about some 'plans' I have and some ideas on what to do with odds and ends of material pieces.  You can make magic!

I have 2 littles that absolute love Disney and Mini (ages 5&6).  This is kind of what I am thinking as making as a special gift from Aunty - only in more of a patchwork design - in pinks, reds and peachy colors.

They have their blankies I made them and use them all the time - so I thought they might like these cute little pillows.

I have a 5 yr. old girlie that loves kitties so much, and her little brother is a dinosaur fanatic.  So here are a couple of ideas I found that I will give a try as a special homemade gift.  They love to cuddle and carry things around, so I thought something like this would be cute.

There are so many fun things you can do with fabric.  Make aprons, lap quilts, a bed quilt, pillows, a patchwork vest, hot pads, coasters, etc.  The list is endless.

To make hot pads - I usually line with some jean material, as it is thicker and will help absorb the heat.  I have heard of people using material from an ironing board cover!  Brilliant - heat proof.

I like this idea, and you may not need to sew.  You could probably use fabric glue.  

These look sewn, but I am thinking you could use carboard scraps, and cut out letters, then glue on fabric and add a piece of magnet to the back.  This is a great learning tool and cute too.  I have often made magnetic items using those magnets we get that are just flat advertising slabs of magnet.  I then cut and use.  ** Do be careful that kiddos aren't so small that they may try to put magnets in their mouth.**

There are just so many fun ideas out there and you can make some really cute and one of a kind holiday gifts.  You may have old clothes that can be cut up and used for projects, old jeans that are beyond wearing, material scraps from older projects, t-shirt material, there is no end to what can be used.  Maybe even old pillowcases or sheets (think thrift shop).  Even an old quilt that needs a lot of work from a thrift shop - use the good areas and you have old material and a patchwork already!

It is time to start getting creative.  Adults get food items and/or GC's from me, but the littles need something cute too.  

Get your thinking cap on and start getting creative.  Have fun and make a memorable gift.

Have a super day.

Fun Fall Flavors

 Hello to all.  Hope everyone is well and safe.  A cool morn here, but not as cool as yesterday morning.  It will be in the 60's today for a high.  Pretty much that way all week.  It looks to get very windy again - so over the wind.  Yesterday was windy as well.

It is that time where I have gotten out my long-legged PJ's (vs. shorts) and I have thrown a heavy throw over the bed at night.  Still refraining from turning on the heat.  Even had to get out 'shoes' to do my walk yesterday!  I always do flip-flops, as I despise wearing regular shoes.   Yesterday warmed up in here (inside) by late afternoon due to the sun, and the house maintains heat well.

This brings back memories.  We had a Chambers stove, a yellow set of that table and chairs.  The black & white floor was in the dining room!

 

Now that the cooler temps are here in this part of the world, it is that time when we think comfort food.  It is time to get out those crockpots for hearty soups, beans, and stews.  It is also time for many treats that don't always happen during the summer.

Don't have to have a campfire to have S'mores.  You can enjoy them from the kitchen.

S'MORE BARS

8 - 10 whole graham crackers

1 pkg. brownie mix (13x9 pan size) - or your own homemade

2 C mini marshmallows

1 C chocolate chips

2/3 C chopped peanuts

Place graham crackers in the bottom of a 13 x 9 greased pan (single layer).  Mix up brownie mix and pour over crackers.  Bake at 350* for 25-30 min.  Sprinkle w/ marshmallows, chips and peanuts and place back in oven for another 5 minutes - until marshmallows puff and turn golden.  Cool and cut into 24 pieces.

*I leave off peanuts

CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESEBALL

1 pkg. - 8 oz. - cream cheese - softened

1/2 C butter (no subs) - softened

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 C confectioner sugar

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

3/4 C mini chocolate chips

3/4 C finely chopped pecans

In a bowl cream the cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy.  Gradually add sugars, beat until combined.  Stir in chips.  Place all into a piece of plastic wrap and make a ball and refrigerate for about 1 hour.  Just before serving roll in nuts.  Serve with graham crackers or vanilla wafers.  NUMMY

HOT PIZZA DIP

1 pkg. - 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 C (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese

3/4 C grated Parmesan cheese

1 can (8 oz.) pizza sauce

2 Tbsp. chopped green pepper

2 Tbsp. thinly sliced green onion

In a bowl mix cream cheese and Ital. seasoning.  Spread in an ungreased 9" pie plate (microwave safe).  Combine mozzarella and Parm, sprinkle HALF over the cream cheese.  Top with pizza sauce, peppers, onion and remaining cheese.  Microwave uncovered, on high for 3-4 minutes until cheese is almost melted.  Let it stand for a couple minutes and serve with breadsticks or tortilla chips.

Makes about 3 cups.

Just some easy and fun fall snacks for sure.  Great for a get together, a dessert, an appetizer, or just 'because'!  Kiddos would love all of these (after school snack) - and I know this big kiddo enjoys them as well!

Seems cream cheese is a must have for fall and winter desserts and dishes - so it is always something to stock up on when you find a deal.  Of course, chips and nuts are a biggy too.   Make sure you watch the sales and get all the seasonal ingredients as you can.

Have a grand day and notice every blessing that comes your way!