Frugal Friday/Living Well

Frugal Friday

Saturday:  Took the time to pack a snack for the afternoon.  We usually get out of synagogue rather late and a snack is a must to keep us from overeating or going crazy at the grocery store. 

We did stop by the grocery on our way home.  My husband decided he wanted steak for dinner.  That was part of our 'fun' money for this pay period (it's been weeks since we had 'fun' money, lol).  While in the store we also picked up the lettuce and olives needed for our contribution to the EMS dinner Monday evening. 

Our package of steaks had three in it.  We'll make our dinner today from that third steak.

Sunday:  Combined errands with a visit to another church.  We stopped for a newspaper, to pick up an item at the drugstore, took my books by the library (they were due Monday).  All of these were within three miles of the church we were visiting. 

We came home for dinner.  I 'd frozen some of the extra marinated sandwiches I'd made Thursday for Chanukkah celebration at synagogue.  That and frozen French Fries (found while digging down deep inthe freezer) made a very nice hot meal that cooked fairly quickly.

Gathered coupons, looked through sales ads to see if other coupons might come to light.  One for a craft store and one for a homegoods store were found in the news sections. 

I've been using Cokerewards.com for sometime.   This past weekend I used points to renew a magazine subscription and to get a coupon good for an 8pk of bottles of Coke.  Chance brought home a code from a 24pack when he came in last Tuesday night.  Little did he know he helped me earn a bonus this week during a special promotion time from the rewards program.

Monday:  Used up leftovers as dinner,  added a side dish pulled from the freezer and a big salad to extend the meal.

Used the oven to heat leftovers, so instead of using stovetop to cook the side dish (frozen fried okra) I put it in the oven in a cast iron skillet with a little oil.  That heated and crisped nicely.  Saved calories too as I used far less oil  in ovenfrying.

Washed a full load of dishes in the dishwasher. 

These days we have begun sharing a 16 ounce soda on the occasions when we choose to drink one.  We both find we like the lesser amount and of course, it extends our soda supply.

Tuesday:  We had breakfast out and then headed to Lowe's for a mental list of needed items.  We did very well, not forgetting a single item.  All our purchases were covered by a little fund we add to each payday that we call simply "House".  This fund covers home repair items, minor car maintenance, lawnmower and supplies for mowing in summer, etc. 

We came home and had lunch.  One meal out is just plenty for us. 

Wednesday:  What did we purchase at Lowe's?  Skim coat to repair some walls and caulk to seal a broken piece of molding and some corners of the bathroom that weren't matched just so.  This started a bit of minor home repair that Chance began, doing all sorts of little things that ultimately save us big money.  He patched walls and molding, he used Kilz to paint the guest bath ceiling (a windowless, poorly vented room that endured three teens over the past 15 years), he touched up areas throughout the house that needed just a little touch (countersinking nails that have worked their way above the surface, tightening door handles that had loosened).  If we'd hired someone to go through and do these things we'd likely have paid $100 for an hour or two of their time.

While Chance was busy doing his home repairs, I spent a morning in the kitchen.  I boiled eggs for egg and potato salad, pared and sectioned oranges to freeze and make ambrosia, cleared the fridge of a few 'lost' items, Thankfully only one needed to be tossed.  Others were usable and got planned into meals over the rest of this week.

It was bitterly cold all day long Wednesday.  I had corn chowder in the freezer and a cup of leftover turkey meat.  I put the two together and then added in a handful of  shredded cheddar cheese.  Boy, was that soup good and it certainly hit the spot on that cold cold evening!

I decorated the tree this week and needed a few ornaments more.  I planned to look at the dollar store on Thursday for some more ornaments,  but went out to my shed and plundered a bit.  I found three unopened packages in a bin where I'd not looked. I had the right number and types of ornaments on hand.  All I needed to purchase was ornament hangers.

Maddie will NOT stay under or in any sort of shelter unless it's raining.  It was so very cold that I worried about her.  Fortunately I bought a batch of old rugs at the thrift store a few months ago.  The rubber backing was flaking off, but for $3 for the three rugs I couldn't beat the price.  I tossed the rugs onto the porch, thinking she'd stay there....No, she went out in the yard, but she did sleep atop one of the rugs she'd hauled off the porch.

Thursday:  Without a child at home to help us eat ice cream, we're finding a carton tends to form ice crystals, which burns the surface of the ice cream.  I remedied this by placing a piece of waxed paper over the surface and we've had no more ice burn.

I went to pay a visit to our local flea market...I was tempted by a few things, two of which were well out of my price range and two which I wanted but  broke my own rules (I cannot purchase another thing to hide behind a cabinet door.  If I can't use it, display it, or gift it, I won't buy it)...I walked out of the thrift store empty handed.

At the dollar store it was easy to steer clear of many of the things, since I'd been in last week after payday.  Yesterday I bought those items I went in for: ornament hangers, pet food and a bag of kitty litter to use to absorb motor oil that leaked from a supposedly  empty bottle in the outdoors trash can. 

I won't need all the cat litter for the trash can, but at just $1 for the bag, I can certainly use it for a few other things or give it to one of the kids for their cats.

I didn't stick strictly to my list for good reason:  I'd planned to give Susan a gift card for her Christmas (the grands gift was mailed directly to them from the store).  I discovered that pre-loaded major credit cards had only a $3.95 activation fee at the dollar store, opposed to the $5 charged at other stores. 

Chance wanted a little something extra last night.  I listened as he went into the kitchen, opening cabinet and fridge doors and came out again.  By the time he'd gone in a third time, I decided it was time to pull something from my hidden stash of goodies for him.  I had candy, bought on sale a few weeks ago, tucked away.  He was pleased with the added treat.

Friday:  We were off to Walmart this morning.  Our plan was to purchase more Kilz, look for angel figurines to put out with our nativities, and have Chance sized for a ring I'm giving him for Christmas (I'll order but Walmart happily measures for free).  We came home with the Kilz, no angels, and a packet of photograph paper to use in our printer to print off photos for family.  The packet of 8 1/2 X 11 photo paper was $6.97 for 25 sheets, the same price I'd pay for a single photo at the photoshop. 

While Chance was prepping the bath ceiling for painting, he took down the vent cover and exhaust fan and cleaned them both.  We'd planned to paint both, had even purchased paint for them, but we won't have to paint them now. 

Chance suggested we take back the spray paint and we could, but...I am a home project woman, why take back what can certainly be used elsewhere on another project or two?

I've had my eye on metal numbers to put on our entrance doors but I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money wanted for the nicer numbers.  Instead, I've decided a paint pen and stencils will work just as well and certainly be a lot less expensive.

I packed Chance's lunch for tomorrow this afternoon.  One item that went in was peanut butter crackers.  The crackers were FREE with the soda purchase I made last week.  The whole jar of peanut butter cost half what a multi serve packet of pre-made crackers with peanut butter would cost. 

Chance noted yesterday that the cost of oil per barrel had risen again.  He suggested we fill the car today before gasoline prices increase.  We won't avoid the higher costs altogether but at least we got in one more fill-up before the increases hit our area.

Living Well

We havne't had extra funds for our fun account in a little while.  This week we took advantage of a little of the extra and bought steaks for dinner one night and breakfast out another morning.

Chance had his last three days vacation this week. It's been nice having him about the house a few days longer and even nicer that after a busy week last week he had time to rest...if you call doing a load of home maintenance 'rest'!

It was very cold on Wednesday and never did get above freezing.  This was not forecasted for our area at all and we were very surprised by it.  Hot soup, a glowing propane heater, cozy slippers and jackets kept us toasty warm all day long.

I've taken plenty of time evenings to enjoy the lights on the Christmas tree.  I love how it glows.

One of the cold nights, I made hot cocoa and topped it off with marshmallows.  So good and so warming.  I felt so cozy in my robe and slippers with that mug of cocoa in my hands.

Our bathroom has always been quite cold in the late autumn and winter months.  I put an electric heater in that room to help warm that room in the early mornings when we get up.  Such a difference to go into a warm bathroom!

I indulged in a sweater coat that I thought was just beautiful back at the beginning of autumn.  This past week, I pulled it out of the drawer to wear.  It was so soft and wonderful, light but very warm.  I'm so glad I went ahead with that purchase.

I love rituals.  In the late afternoon, just before evening, I feed the pets, then go about indoors drawing curtains and turning on a light in the rooms we'd normally use..  Lamp light is so welcoming and warm when you're coming in from the dark, that I left a lamp or two on when I knew we'd be out late at night this week. 

I leave the window where the Christmas tree stands unshaded until we go to bed each evening.  I know no one can see the lights but there's the slim chance that Chance or my cousins might see it when they're outdoors.

This past week we lit our Chanukaniah.  Each evening we had a little something extra as a treat.  It wasn't expensive items but just little things.  One night a mesh bag of chocolate gold coins, another night a few blue and silver wrapped Dove chocolates, etc.

I don't mind the cold when it's seasonal as this has been.  It's awfully nice when I know my home is snug and warm, has plenty of warming hearty meals in the pantry/freezer, and there's a nice heavy quilt upon our bed to snuggle under at night.  I'm embracing the season while it's with us.  I'll complain long and loud if we have weather like this in July, lol, but not this time of year.

Coffee Chat

Hello there!  It's awfully cold outside today, the temperature's never gotten over 32F today here, which is not at all what was predicted.  There's coffee on, and hot water if you'd prefer tea and I can whip up a batch of hot chocolate in no time if you'd rather have that.  I'm thinking this weather is most definitely means biscuits for supper.  I have some cubed steak  and will fry some apples and if that doesn't hit the spot for supper I can't imagine what else would!

I've spent the past day slowly decorating my Christmas tree.  I'm not particularly happy with it at present, but it looks well enough with the houselights dimmed and the tree lights on.  I think I'll start looking for new ornaments for next year.  I certainly thought I had more than I do but I remembered this morning, as I stood in the freezing shed sorting thru my only other Christmas bin, that I got rid of all but the most sentimental bits and had absolutely nothing more to choose from.  Sigh.  I've been nowhere to even look at Christmas things either, except the dollar stores which had some lovely items but nothing I wanted.

One store had lots of gold frames, about the size for wallet sized photos.  Of course, they could be spray painted any color at all and I can think of all sorts of things that might be done with them, from family photos, to bits of vintage giftwrap or images cut from Christmas cards, or pretty script letters or words or phrases and such.  In a thrift store I came across five or six sets of the Lennox type ceramic nativity figures.  Those might be interesting on a tree, as well.  Of course, I'm simply aching to go back and see if they are still there and what price they set upon them. 

I've wanted to decorate my front porch, at least the ironing board portion of it, for this holiday season.  I found a resin snowman couple I've had a number of years and a cardinal figurine and  thought I might cut some cedar and pine branches to put on the ironing board with them.  I've started, but am not yet finished.  I'll be sure to get photos when I'm all done.  I don't normally worry about decorating the porch but it just seemed it would make a nice entry for Christmas.  And it does look terribly bear during the winter months with no plants there.

I've been in a terribly restless mood this week.  It is sure sign that I'm about to gear up for another of my home projects frenzies and the house will look different when I'm done, a whole new color wave will appear and items will be rearranged or repurposed, etc.  I suppose this is the direct result of working on New Years goals for the past few weeks.  I can't help but see any future time as chockful of possibilities and I am moved to make numerous plans and look at design ideas and craft items and recipes and I get completely wound up thinking of all the things I could do, might do, wish I could/might, lol.  

We've had plenty of cold air here since Sunday.  It was a dreary sort of day and breezy too and felt bitterly cold.  We were terribly glad to get home and cozy up to the gas heater that afternoon.  Monday wasn't too bad, or it seemed not so bad.  Of course, I was well dressed for a cold evening when we left home to go to the party, but we found our hosts home a little cool.  In fairness, the front door was opening fairly regularly, letting cold air into the front room and they had been in the kitchen working away at dinner preparations.  However, they soon caught on that most everyone had chosen to keep on a jacket or sweater and turned up the heat and brought out a pot of coffee and that warmed us all right up.  It was so sunny and bright both Monday and Tuesday that the cold just wasn't felt so much.  Do tell me why a dreary gray day will make the cold feel twice as bonechilling...

When I woke this morning the house seemed cozy enough.  The sun poured into the windows as I opened the curtains and Chance had lit the heater a bit earlier and then come right back to bed.  However, I realized about two hours later that it was pretty cold in the house and remembered we'd never turned up the heat pump.  I remedied that, then headed outdoors to the shop.  Was I glad the heat was on indoors when I came back!  That shed of mine was plenty cold and the sunny sky clouded up.  I checked the thermometer on the front porch as I came in and it was 32F then and hasn't moved all day long. 

I have this thing about chicken pot pie...On a cold day I can think of little else that will hit the spot the way a good Chicken Pot Pie might.  I happened to have bought two frozen pot pies last week at the grocery at a super low price and so I pulled those out today to bake.  Having the oven on for an hour only made the kitchen feel pretty pleasant, so I stayed there and sectioned some oranges that were not being eaten.  I made ambrosia to go with our lunch and froze another two cups of orange sections.  I find the oranges keep their texture better than most fruits when frozen.  I should have made up some chocolate syrup as well but I didn't think of it.  I could easily make a cup of hot chocolate in the microwave if I had.  I made slaw for today and tomorrow to go with a planned meal. 

Besides dishes and meals, there's been little else to do.  We did a thorough job of housekeeping early this week and have kept at it in bits and dashes ever since, so no deep cleaning is really necessary.  I have a stack of magazines and the new Farm Chicks Christmas book to look through, but I've not settled to them.  I also have a new cookbook and the Gooseberry Christmas magazine publication on my bookshelf awaiting me.  Truth is I seem to be very content to simply snuggle up in my chair and gaze at the Christmas tree in between meals and I guess I'll take advantage of that desire because too many Christmases have gone by without so much as a few moments of time spent in noticing the way the lights shine upon the ornaments, or how the glittery bits glow.

I seem to have been more thorough than usual this last Big Shop.  We've run out of only one or two items, nothing needed until next pay period mind you, but the things we'd normally have made a second or third trip to town for haven't been needed at all.  We've milk and bread in plenty and fresh produce as well.  Of course, this is a huge savings to us.

Tomorrow I will go into town to the dollar store to pick up a couple of items, especially ornament hangers.  I thought I'd check out the first of the month week long yard sale, and the flea market in town to see if anything interesting can be had.  I'll get my haircut and stop by the local restaurant for fried chicken to go with the sides  already fixed here at home.  It will be a nice outing for me, give Chance a bit of a break and I'll come back totally refreshed because a haircut just does that for me.

I should get to work on my Christmas cards.  I haven't even begun them, but then I'm not done with the shopping either.  I've only a couple of gifts to buy and I really ought to plan what I shall make for the rest of the gift giving I will be doing.  I've only gotten as far as determining that I'd make something edible, lol.  I've a unique recipe or two that are delicious and would be welcome and don't require expensive ingredients...It's truly a busy season yet here I am, just going about as relaxed and slowly as though I had nothing at all to concern me.  It's truly not my usual Christmas season attitude, but I'm kind of enjoying it.

I really ought to get up and make that husband of mine his supper.  He's been sitting here patiently for almost an hour while I've had my coffee chat.  I'll see you again next week!

Thankful Tuesday

This week I am grateful for:

Right anger that spurred right prayer of authority to bind.

A decorated Christmas tree.

Hot chocolate on a chilly night.

Making hot chocolate from scratch, knowing I had only wholesome goodness in my cup.

Food pantry that seems to stretch and stretch.

Trudy coming home after missing all day.

A crisp apple.

Friendship, no matter how much time has passed between meetings.

Opportunity presenting itself.

Paint for more projects.

The house fund.

A pancake breakfast.

Christmas lights on the drive home.

Menu Monday

Monday: Leftover Beef Pot Pie, Oven Fried Okra, Cranberry Waldorf Salad

My beef pot pie was very good last week...and very big.  I had more than half leftover and we didn't get out leftovers eaten over the weekend.  With the additional side dishes we had plenty of food and the remaining portion will go to the doggies for their pans tonight.  I seldom will serve a leftover item more than twice...unless I have a week of lunches on my own ahead.  Not so this week.  So to the dogs it goes.  I added craisins to my usual waldorf salad.  Very nice to have that tart sweet bite with the golden delicious apple and the craisins added a nice bit of color.

Tuesday:  Steak, Refried Beans and Cheese Burritos, Pico de Gallo Salad with Ranch Dressing

We didn't eat leftovers this weekend, because Chance wanted steaks and since we had cash to spare this payperiod, and we stopped by a market where the steaks were reasonably priced, we had a nice steak dinner.  And a leftover steak.  No trouble at all to make a leftover makeover dinner of burritos.  I'll slice steaks, shred cheese and heat 1/2 a can refried beans (look for the use of the rest of the can later in the week), spread on tortillas and serve with sour cream.  I'll top lettuce wedges with pico de gallo (a sort of freshly made salsa) and drizzle with ranch dressing as a side dish.

Wednesday:  Braised Beef Shanks, Smashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Corn Muffins

I'll use my braised short ribs recipe and substitute the shanks for the short ribs.  I found the shanks discounted last week at the grocery and really I like them better than shortribs as they are leaner and meatier than short ribs.  One nice sized piece of shank is sufficient for a serving.  Any leftover sauce will go right into my bag of soup making items in the freezer. Including leftover mashed potatoes which add a nice body to the soup ingredients.

Thursday:  Deli chicken, warm potato salad, Sliced Roma tomatoes, Crusty bread

Errands day will no doubt bring about a trip to the grocery and that will be our cue to think of lunch.  It's easy enough to have potatoes ready here at home to reheat, drain and mix into salad.  This time of year, the larger salad tomatoes don't always look pretty but Romas tend to be fresher and riper than the large tomatoes, not to mention they are almost always less expensive.  I like them served simply with salt and pepper and if I have a sprinkling of basil leaves ( or chopped rosemary).  Chance likes his tomatoes topped with a dollop of Bleu Cheese dressing.  Crusty bread with butter is a nice added touch to a homey sort of meal.

Friday:  Pizza Mexicani, Caramel Apples over Vanilla Ice Cream

I'll top homemade cornmeal based pizza crust with a chili seasoned tomato sauce, dollops of refried beans, cooked ground turkey sausage, black olives, Monterey Jack cheese.  When we remove the pizza we'll serve slices with finely shredded lettuce and a dollop of sour cream on top.  I'll cook sliced Golden Delicious apples over low heat until tender, top with caramel sauce and dollop over ice cream.

Saturday:  Taco Soup, Rice, Corn Muffins

I have to get this recipe from my friend.  She brought it to our Chanukkah dinner the other night and everyone chose to pile cooked rice into their bowl and then top with the soup.  I know for sure it had hamburger, corn and tomatoes, kidney beans, onions....A nice meal for a cold and shivery day.  Leftovers will freeze nicely for Chance and I to have dinner from the soup again next week.

Sunday:  Pumpkin Cream Sauce over Cheese Tortellini, Broccoli and Craisin Salad, Toasted Garlic Bread

I've been promising myself for weeks I'd try this recipe I have an idea for...Not even a real recipe yet!  But I'd like to experiment with it all by myself first and then see how it goes over for just me.