tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50034494814278904652024-03-19T03:33:55.818-05:00Four Miles North of Nowherekath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.comBlogger1962125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-73527503632904526442024-03-17T05:45:00.002-05:002024-03-17T05:45:00.128-05:00Happy St. Patrick's Day...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUw8ey0m5rduL3A-GZA8wG8GuXrHU3pQXVH4EU9OwHCryYg2-OkCShq45sBWC9XYJLmQQqW8LOniy2MYa1OZIH8yPItWZ-rfVHpsykJD4MDq-QxDL8W7_wpDd3lEjzaA9xzLsjMHg9IoKmRgkBJhuMv5QImlMjOt4vgoPYXtT7wXi39buG7JI7ns8FXHaV/s2775/st%20pat%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="2691" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUw8ey0m5rduL3A-GZA8wG8GuXrHU3pQXVH4EU9OwHCryYg2-OkCShq45sBWC9XYJLmQQqW8LOniy2MYa1OZIH8yPItWZ-rfVHpsykJD4MDq-QxDL8W7_wpDd3lEjzaA9xzLsjMHg9IoKmRgkBJhuMv5QImlMjOt4vgoPYXtT7wXi39buG7JI7ns8FXHaV/s320/st%20pat%201.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A sweet friend gifted me her mother's collection of Belleek Pottery. She knew that I would enjoy it, since March 17th has always been one of my favorite days of the year. This year I just set out these few pieces.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PX6h0cAdGUXBY87WWIXiI-4cqhp7Ph49Zm5WuVWjlcxOdhiJ78uA0jQ7SyalXcjsY59MOBYjBPsQUk2UZXfxQw7YLFrJzuzD0iKHy32bY9hF4abtiRDOn5u5sFQL4wWlPeZEcemhrsZ_mniTLuiajVIeahtAeWiyU28nV7kA9fyCl_tzjfVhSw32bvbP/s2170/st%20pat%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2170" data-original-width="1594" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PX6h0cAdGUXBY87WWIXiI-4cqhp7Ph49Zm5WuVWjlcxOdhiJ78uA0jQ7SyalXcjsY59MOBYjBPsQUk2UZXfxQw7YLFrJzuzD0iKHy32bY9hF4abtiRDOn5u5sFQL4wWlPeZEcemhrsZ_mniTLuiajVIeahtAeWiyU28nV7kA9fyCl_tzjfVhSw32bvbP/s320/st%20pat%202.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And the reason it's always been a special day to me? My father was half Irish, and my mother was a St. Patrick's Day baby. This is my pretty mama about twenty years before I was born. I am so grateful that I received many of her skills and qualities, but her self-motivation and career focus skipped a generation...she would be so proud, as am I, that Kasey inherited that from her.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy Birthday, Mama!</span></div><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-69665642968864511082024-03-15T10:02:00.151-05:002024-03-15T10:02:00.240-05:002024 Frugal Friday File, March 15...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s320/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="320" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s1600/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. We made our monthly (approximately) pilgrimage to the recycling center. Not a hugely exciting trip, but we always stop for ice cream on the way home. Yesterday we took Rudy with us. He had so much fun with the trip in the truck AND licking the ice cream cups. Can we count this for date night? :)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. We've been working on the coffee table. I didn't get around to starting the faux painting technique until yesterday, and since the humidity is rising with spring, I left it to dry overnight. Today we will decide about another step to add what we used to call 'antiquing' back in the day. Really just trying to get close to the other wood tones in the room. I'll show the process and end result in a post soon,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. I haven't made a grocery order in a month! We have been eating out more than usual, as we've been pretty busy, so it was kind of necessary. Even so, our grocery/meals-out total so far is pretty low. When I do have time to cook, I've been able to pull meal ingredients together from pantry and fridge. Carey has done small grocery shops for just bread, milk, etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. Jared was on vacation this week, and chose to stay-cation and catch up on car maintenance that has been somewhat put off to get through their busy season at work. Carey helps/advises as asked. I'm so impressed with what Jared can do on his own. He never seemed terribly interested in it when he was younger, but has grown really adept.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. Beau called Carey about dark one evening this week when their electronic gate opener went on the fritz. He is very able to fix things around the house on his own, but being that it was so late, and he would have kids trying to get through the gate as they came home, he needed another pair of hands. I love that the 'boys' feel free to ask Carey for help, and I know he does too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">#4 and #5 aren't really frugal wins for us this week per se, except that it is so nice to have a little tribe of knowledgeable handymen in the family and all close by. They can truly get things done!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the menu this week:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Saturday: leftovers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sunday: Sunday family supper at Kasey and Beau's</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Monday: out for Chinese food</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday: Tuna Sandwiches</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wednesday: Sausage w/ Rice, onion, bell pepper</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday: Pasta Alfredo w/ Chicken</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Friday: leftovers?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">**designates meatless meal</span> </p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-61931945335902302662024-03-12T09:08:00.009-05:002024-03-12T15:01:56.703-05:00Highs and Lows...<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vXip46PZ0dAIgBT3K3oCJ6nVf6l1exhrjqS33H3or5jiOzMfSipjJ0tcCIoL1j5Phsivvdq5hCQpV9d1Qi3_XxdZjj47aCyIBxIey5bOTEivI5qSgbobrBb15ACJAnZjR6TIlZ303Jn0TuTKReMn3IxlYrhp6xogqBpab7akHqlKQ_SiFfyWUdmuYAX3/s761/cleaning%20high.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="571" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vXip46PZ0dAIgBT3K3oCJ6nVf6l1exhrjqS33H3or5jiOzMfSipjJ0tcCIoL1j5Phsivvdq5hCQpV9d1Qi3_XxdZjj47aCyIBxIey5bOTEivI5qSgbobrBb15ACJAnZjR6TIlZ303Jn0TuTKReMn3IxlYrhp6xogqBpab7akHqlKQ_SiFfyWUdmuYAX3/s320/cleaning%20high.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The hardest things for me to do with my bad knees and shoulder are climb up high on a ladder, and kneel or sit on the floor, to do cleaning tasks. This week I have had a wonderful gift!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Caitlyn is home from school for Spring Break. She had been hoping to work for her previous employer while she is home to bulk up her savings that have been helping pay for school expenses. During Christmas break she was able to work quite a bit for them, but when she called before Spring Break to see if she could pick up some shifts, she was told that they had everything covered.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I told her I could use her help, and would be happy to gift her school money when she heads back after her break. She was willing, and far more able than I, to do some of the jobs that I had put on the list I made recently of things I wanted to accomplish at home over the next few months. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Things like emptying bookshelves, dusting them top to bottom, and helping me downsize the contents before refilling the shelves. These days my knees just don't hold out for long when the job at hand calls for multiple trips up and down a ladder, so jobs take me longer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Saturday she started in the playroom which contained the few toys and many, many books I've kept since my kids were little and the grandkids came along. I texted all the kids and grandkids to ask if there were any books they especially remembered and would like to have. Kasey took some that were favorites and that she will save for her future grandchildren. Caitlyn took a few as she was working. Bobby came and packed a boxful to use in his work with special-needs children. The rest of the books are now boxed up to donate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once Caitlyn had those first shelves spic and span, she moved to the guest room and did the same in a similar sized bookshelf in there. I didn't have a huge amount of books in that one, as they have been culled before, but there were quite a few photos and decorative items, and the tops and high shelves hadn't been dusted for far too long. That was true of all the open shelving units in our house. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Sunday afternoon she took the ladder and vacuum to the laundry room. I had already dusted and reorganized the shelves over the washer and dryer, but forgot to clean the top of the cabinet. Caitlyn had that done in no time. Then she moved on to floor-to-ceiling shelves that house bins of </span><span style="font-family: arial;">dog food, Rudy's replacement toys (I order some of his favorites in multiples so as his current ones wear out they can be quickly and easily replaced), </span><span style="font-family: arial;">tools, batteries, and cleaning supplies, etc. She also cleaned out Rudy's kennel and his feeding mat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Monday she started on the dining room's built-in shelves, and then emptied and dusted my great-grandmother's china cabinet. Between the dining room and kitchen we have a large antique kitchen cabinet (bottom photo) that had originally been built into the kitchen of the house I grew up in. Caitlyn cleaned it top to bottom, inside and out. And finally the open shelving (top photo) on both sides of the window in the kitchen was also thoroughly dusted and restocked.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaE3Ol_zDELwAOn4ikjlPNIkXNmCfcHXqmaE2tTDOA9Zp5-JmdecEp2dsAFws9ncNTRwV23-GugpLczyLh3ousUl9mgq5p-D1Ig8p8t2TOpvERY_udqlzlO-CLosg0xKDI1MGd6lUn18-RUGNpXQFQLVLGdK-kTMQjnKlHTO0lWLijaEz-tpA3Ct9OXpIF/s2476/cleaning%20low.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="1802" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaE3Ol_zDELwAOn4ikjlPNIkXNmCfcHXqmaE2tTDOA9Zp5-JmdecEp2dsAFws9ncNTRwV23-GugpLczyLh3ousUl9mgq5p-D1Ig8p8t2TOpvERY_udqlzlO-CLosg0xKDI1MGd6lUn18-RUGNpXQFQLVLGdK-kTMQjnKlHTO0lWLijaEz-tpA3Ct9OXpIF/s320/cleaning%20low.jpg" width="233" /></a><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This has ticked <i>lots</i> of boxes from my to-do list, and jobs that would have taken me weeks have been done in a long weekend thanks to young muscles, joints, and energy! Now Caitlyn is off to the beach for a few days. She has promised to come back for one more day of cleaning before she heads back to school. Now that the hard jobs of ladder climbing and floor-level deep cleaning are done, my job is to get as much done as I can in the next few days to ready more projects that she can help me with.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm a lucky grandma. I miss them being little, but I'm reaping the rewards of them being grown!</span></p><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-562091572900117932024-03-08T06:53:00.075-06:002024-03-12T02:07:49.808-05:002024 Frugal Friday File, March 8...<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s320/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="320" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s1600/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. Today makes five days I've worked this week. Money in. And it was HARD! :)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. I finished my library ebook, and picked up a just-out book (Hero) by a favorite author (Thomas Perry). Man I love that the library sends out notices of new arrivals now, I can jump on the reserve list like a bird on a cricket! This is about the 4th book in the last couple of months where I've been its very first reader at our library.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. I saw an Instagram post at lunch yesterday that said if you want to lose $10,000 all you have to do is mindlessly spend $27.40 a day for the next year. I did the math; it actually does total $10,001. Now, I don't spend $27 a day every single day, but I am guilty of this more often than I want to think about. It's so easy to do. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I bought several houseplants in the past week that we could have lived without. On the other hand, I've had zero houseplants since I left the two I've been caring for over the past four years at the office when I left. So I've gone quite awhile without replacing those...and they will improve our inside air quality at least a little...and they are aesthetically pleasing. See how I can justify?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Guilty of buying meals out when we have groceries at home, though we're doing a lot better than pre-retirement. And I can definitely cave on impulse craft supply purchases that I really, really <strike>need</strike> want. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Heck I have filled my Amazon cart with half a dozen items over the past couple of days totaling $128. After I started thinking about it, I realized we do need <i>some</i> of the items. I deleted two items after checking supply closet and found virtually the exact items, only nicer, that have never been used. I deleted another item when I got realistic about why I wanted it. That brought the total down to $101. I remembered that I had a $50 gift card that I had left from cashing in credit card rewards points late last year. So with tax it came to $59 out of pocket. At least now I'm sure it wasn't mindless or duplicate spending.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Carey has been working on our coffee table. </span><a href="https://fourmilesnorthofnowhere.blogspot.com/2010/05/little-surprises.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">It is a very sentimental piece that I wrote about here back in 2010.</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> (The preceding sentence is a link that you can click on if you are interested in reading about what is so sentimental about the coffee table.) Its yellow pine color doesn't coordinate well with the new living room, so I was about ready to donate it...until Caitlyn asked, "Does this mean I won't get surprises in my drawer any more?!" She's almost 20, but that's all it took. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So Carey has now sanded the entire thing, drawers and all. We bought three different colors of stain (one at a time), and it just didn't take any of them well. So he sanded again. Now we are trying a paint and faux finish. (He's painted this week, I will try to do the faux finish in the next few days now that the work week is almost over. Those stain rejects got expensive, but I will donate them (barely used) at the nearest Re-Store. F</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ingers are crossed that the project will turn out well in the end. Not exactly a frugal win, but cheaper than buying a new coffee table, and its special-ness is priceless...at least to me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. I'm writing this on Thursday night, and it is getting late, and I have to work in the morning. So I'm going to keep the list at four this week.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the menu this week:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Saturday: dinner out</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sunday: Sunday supper at Kasey and Beau's</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Monday: subscription meal that has been languishing in the freezer</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday: homecooked meal from the freezer - Jambalaya</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wednesday: takeout Barbecue Baked Potatoes with Brisket</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday: homecooked meal from the freezer - Beef Stew</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Friday: out for favorite Tex-Mex</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**designates meatless meal</span></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-2332474691597577602024-03-06T06:53:00.051-06:002024-03-06T06:53:00.129-06:00What I'm reading Wednesday...<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22hOe2ZYO7tc0eClkK47ZRRvdrbpw-weZJlW9hXhKrTHBDynglSIQqwcANbqS_A-QtAHTgRQSyTJ5k6UcmzieKKPqnSnZlS2dqsqEzmrhDcpMw8YJpPqV2OugIpm2oYBc_UgtG2zbZzimUYBdhA08JfPvZ1FfN13rsmsKLywqgm7HQSJZmdLGje3xVTDT/s400/book%20-%20a%20most%20agreeable%20murder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22hOe2ZYO7tc0eClkK47ZRRvdrbpw-weZJlW9hXhKrTHBDynglSIQqwcANbqS_A-QtAHTgRQSyTJ5k6UcmzieKKPqnSnZlS2dqsqEzmrhDcpMw8YJpPqV2OugIpm2oYBc_UgtG2zbZzimUYBdhA08JfPvZ1FfN13rsmsKLywqgm7HQSJZmdLGje3xVTDT/s320/book%20-%20a%20most%20agreeable%20murder.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A Most Agreeable Murder</i> by Julia Seales</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finished this one in a few days. It reads as sort of a campy screenplay set in Edwardian England. A little Jane Austen. A little Miss Scarlet and the Duke.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktxRQlvo26dTwMzJTOTjnzJukd3mASMX0-_T4XNQaOV7WCnpaROE1gEwmgQ9zbteFDH3T2kP0w4bH5P0h2n2fhKo05lIY885hUSxuRjeP6O3FWMhjKOdz3oD0rFYIOck0UoaYABAiav9wdm31vA1alMz13DyBgHfFCSW2Zo0QRbM4auGwBKJXy26vBsg4/s1200/book%20-%20hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktxRQlvo26dTwMzJTOTjnzJukd3mASMX0-_T4XNQaOV7WCnpaROE1gEwmgQ9zbteFDH3T2kP0w4bH5P0h2n2fhKo05lIY885hUSxuRjeP6O3FWMhjKOdz3oD0rFYIOck0UoaYABAiav9wdm31vA1alMz13DyBgHfFCSW2Zo0QRbM4auGwBKJXy26vBsg4/s320/book%20-%20hero.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Hero </i>by Thomas Perry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From the description, it sounds like the protagonist may be the Jane Whitefield of the 21st century. Jane Whitefield was the character that this author based a series on, and they were some of my favorite books ever. She helped people in trouble to disappear, but it got harder and harder as the world started using facial recognition and security cameras everywhere. I'm really excited and hopeful as I start this one to see how the new character overcomes these challenges.</span></div></div><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-61372681474466607992024-03-04T22:01:00.002-06:002024-03-04T22:04:14.536-06:00On kitchen windows...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hcqykIVgiEttuLaqSyW6biHpgGxtF9dOA2rlemOIpGIzJCgwAPiMCY4ddPwab_8iVAxwr4bVH0eyZrDNvKeX5tMe83sLmmql4ohspX8IXP0IP49FgKCUq63MN3VzecC4nkkuAkfgnXBq6JTFrIBsEvWlzQR2b2AXCSH4u_W2YRakpHH2T5KHfzgY7Szi/s2333/03-02-2024%20kitchen%20window.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1714" data-original-width="2333" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hcqykIVgiEttuLaqSyW6biHpgGxtF9dOA2rlemOIpGIzJCgwAPiMCY4ddPwab_8iVAxwr4bVH0eyZrDNvKeX5tMe83sLmmql4ohspX8IXP0IP49FgKCUq63MN3VzecC4nkkuAkfgnXBq6JTFrIBsEvWlzQR2b2AXCSH4u_W2YRakpHH2T5KHfzgY7Szi/s320/03-02-2024%20kitchen%20window.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I do so love a kitchen window. To me it is a luxury to be able to look outside while doing dishes or pulling a recipe together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the view from my kitchen window currently. It is not my favorite ever (my favorite looked over one hundred acres from the top of a hill), nor is it my least favorite one (which had a menacing view of twin communication towers with their red lights looking like glowing red eyes staring in at me from the dark...but that's what I get for reading The Amityville Horror).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The kitchen of the house I grew up in had a window, but the sink was not under it. Well, it was when I was too young to remember, but my parents remodeled the kitchen in the 1960s, and plunked the sink down in the middle of the room. Maybe that's why I have always appreciated a sink with a view. It feeds my soul.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was surprised when taking the photo above that there were no deer visible. There are <i>always</i> deer visible in our front yard. Sometimes a few, sometimes a couple dozen! For the most part the deer and I coexist begrudgingly, though I admit to occasionally doing my best imitation of a yapping coyote to see if I can spook them; alas they have grown used to my tricks. </span> </div><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-75470949802777166722024-03-01T09:07:00.001-06:002024-03-01T09:07:00.142-06:002024 Frugal Friday File, March 1...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s320/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="320" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s1600/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1. Batched errands to save trips and gasoline.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. The credit card that we use solely for groceries and meals out is doing its job of making me more aware of what we spend for meals each month. This month it totaled $690, which seems high to me. But I Googled "monthly grocery spending for 2 person household", and it seems our spending falls between the low-cost and moderate-cost average grocery spend for those search parameters. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I was expecting a slightly higher spend this month, s</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ince we were out of town, and thus ate out, for several days, so I'm not going to worry about it too much. But seeing that total makes me long to do better.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. I finished all my library books and returned them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. I made a list by room of all the tasks I would like to accomplish in the coming months. I can't do a marathon clean in a day or two like I used to. But making this list is a way I can stay on task, and hopefully avoid having to pay someone to help me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. The electric bill came, and after last month's I was a little afraid to open it. Whew! This month's was almost half of what last month's was!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the menu this week:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Saturday: Lentil Soup w/ Cornbread</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**Sunday: Sunday supper at Kasey & Beau's</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Monday: Tamale Casserole</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday: takeout Schlotzky sandwiches</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wednesday: Spaghetti Pie</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday: leftovers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Friday: Spanish Rice</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">**designates meatless meal</span> </p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-63042475168203504082024-02-28T09:01:00.001-06:002024-02-28T09:01:00.137-06:00What I'm reading Wednesday...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB7SH674KS-XXtlGAPHhL9VpFw02XtrjOIt9iF4h67XFrkXwSvk9jX9nX83Y-meEWcjn25l-xxnxIZZV1DtbmFKhWPw8xpNVmRqOdAeOMsdYv0FU9uEB6QJI-bDjKPW2yzckYl5aHSNSLRLWowG3A4JBPZY0w8hyf37ddSKP8YbEFdFc6hDgvFkQCxDEE/s400/book%20-%20A%20Wild%20and%20Heavenly%20Place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB7SH674KS-XXtlGAPHhL9VpFw02XtrjOIt9iF4h67XFrkXwSvk9jX9nX83Y-meEWcjn25l-xxnxIZZV1DtbmFKhWPw8xpNVmRqOdAeOMsdYv0FU9uEB6QJI-bDjKPW2yzckYl5aHSNSLRLWowG3A4JBPZY0w8hyf37ddSKP8YbEFdFc6hDgvFkQCxDEE/s320/book%20-%20A%20Wild%20and%20Heavenly%20Place.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A Wild and Heavenly Place</i> by Robin Oliveira</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-51743099806178460392024-02-23T18:07:00.000-06:002024-02-23T18:07:03.080-06:002024 Frugal Friday File, February 23...<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s320/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="320" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s1600/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. In my grocery order this weekend, I purchased a chicken to stew, forgetting that we were going to be gone for a few days of the week. I didn't want to leave it in uncooked in the fridge till we got back, so Sunday night I put it in the slow cooker at midnight, and Monday morning I boned it all, put half in a Ziplock bag and placed in the freezer for later. With the other half I made a batch of Chicken Salad to take when we visited mom-in-law. She doesn't always like to eat in the dining room at the assisted living facility, so I'm packing a picnic that we can all share if she would like it. I'm so glad that hotel rooms have refrigerators. :) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. I remembered to pay bills on the due date before heading out of town. I would have been kicking myself during the entire trip if I hadn't thought of it till after we were on the road.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. I took library books on the trip. Only got about 1/3 read of one. That was about the only frugal part of the trip.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. Mom-in-law loves photographs and wanted more hung on the back of her assisted-living apartment door. She has each of her five children's graduation photos hung near the door, and she wanted 8x10 photos of them as young children hung on the door. The photos have been in an old photo album for ages...the kind with sticky pages. It was quite the job to remove the delicate 60 to 70 year old photos from those sticky pages (more on that below). Once I determined exactly what she wanted and what was needed, I made a trip to Office Max to purchase flat acrylic 8.5"x11" frames for the photos, and they came with strong adhesive-backed magnets. I also purchased dental floss. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">With supplies in hand, I placed the open photo album on a table top and set to work on the first photo. I removed the plastic page cover, and I used a long length of dental floss and worked it under one edge of photo, then with Carey holding the page firmly in place, I pulled the floss side to side and down under each photo until I was able to get them released from the sticky page. Deep breaths of relief were taken when all of the photos were able to be freed without damage to the images. Two of the photos did suffer very small tears at their margins when trying to work the first edge loose to get the floss under.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This was not my favorite wish to grant...I'm not a big fan of photos lining every blank bit of wall (and definitely not door) space...but she does, so I was happy to make her happy. The welts on hands from pulling that dental floss faded quickly. And we tested banging door closed and open repeatedly to make sure that the frames wouldn't be going anywhere. None of this project was very frugal (other than saving photos from damage with the floss trick), but it was priceless to m-i-l, so worth it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. On this visit to see Mom, Carey and his sister discussed taking a road trip of their own in late summer as they are both baseball fans and would enjoy travelling to see some together. I'm cool with that, but not sure we can accomplish it financially considering he and I have a trip planned in May which will mean outfitting car with new tires (estimated $1,000) before the trip, and lots of hotel and meal expenses. On the six-hour trip home, I suggested cancelling our trip in May, and flying alone to visit a friend for a few days instead. (Visit with that friend was intended to be included in the vacation.) Also suggested the possibility of he and sis renting a car to make their road trip, so we can forestall the need for tires for awhile, as they aren't really necessary when we are only driving locally and not on long out-of-state trips. We will have to discuss further, and do more research on costs, but it's on the table.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the menu this week:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Saturday: Sunday supper at Kasey's (on Saturday)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**Sunday: Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Vegetable Sauce</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Monday: Subscription meal from freezer that needed using</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday: road trip meal out</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wednesday: road trip meal out</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday: road trip meal out</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Friday: Chili and Tamales</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**designates meatless meal</span></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-35188206723569188882024-02-23T17:00:00.001-06:002024-02-23T17:00:27.594-06:00What I was reading Wednesday...<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2RQtweq_mBQHteijqpYecY7BtdLTvpOaklI_ojWpA7a7u4Xv2MTbe99f91aWobd0vsLZaIWwm46tjZ2_zW-6fQ2ePbJOjvO9AO7GwdsYa1A3CR2Kw9RI-rFsCAlCfMRRGpdYd1VnYK0qNGbBNO-xy_1I5jczdxro_ZYT2RsBACttGc2JwhBMiUYYKEpj/s1650/book%20-%20Fourteen%20Days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2RQtweq_mBQHteijqpYecY7BtdLTvpOaklI_ojWpA7a7u4Xv2MTbe99f91aWobd0vsLZaIWwm46tjZ2_zW-6fQ2ePbJOjvO9AO7GwdsYa1A3CR2Kw9RI-rFsCAlCfMRRGpdYd1VnYK0qNGbBNO-xy_1I5jczdxro_ZYT2RsBACttGc2JwhBMiUYYKEpj/s320/book%20-%20Fourteen%20Days.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fourteen Days: A Collaborative Novel</i> by The Authors Guild, Margaret Atwood, et al</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm late getting this posted. I took this on the road trip with me. Plot has to do with the residents of an apartment building in NYC during the first days of Pandemic Lockdown. The residents take to spending dusk on the building's rooftop, socially distance, telling stories from their pasts. Chapters are written by many and varied authors.</span></div><br /><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-65111204082846400172024-02-16T09:01:00.001-06:002024-02-16T09:01:00.127-06:00Frugal Friday File 2024, February 16... <p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s320/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="320" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s1600/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1. I have a container on my desk to contain paper scraps large enough to be used in other projects. I routinely use pieces from there before reaching for a fresh, un-cut piece. I'm kind of down to less-usable pieces, and am about ready to recycle the contents. But before I do that, I decided to pull out larger pieces of mostly solid colors and cut them into strips. I then picked strips and glued them onto cardstock, trimmed, and used them to make Valentines for the grandkids, thinking-of-you cards for friends, and a birthday card for my cousin. Two of samples are below.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEekcPGJ2IQPutIHYmrhi5KUBKQ-iaI6T9Arjw_HUswpLFcLVOUkdn2qQ9qpKDycA3eBHyKvk3NC4MEgqq-UnKSDbU_y03yYh6c9o1b4j4RKKaQ7_YxGvhTZS575fInYKbeYmHosopa8sO8cH_fjIq3DSPlf1EGKPqjF7BtsOyZqKOvULHIG0gEX17Ub6I/s1963/card%20-%20Valentine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="1963" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEekcPGJ2IQPutIHYmrhi5KUBKQ-iaI6T9Arjw_HUswpLFcLVOUkdn2qQ9qpKDycA3eBHyKvk3NC4MEgqq-UnKSDbU_y03yYh6c9o1b4j4RKKaQ7_YxGvhTZS575fInYKbeYmHosopa8sO8cH_fjIq3DSPlf1EGKPqjF7BtsOyZqKOvULHIG0gEX17Ub6I/w200-h164/card%20-%20Valentine.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCJ5MoyqOJ6a9Vz6NKZaUHeFir0Y-ucop1urXeaeyR5DKn18V2T8jDDS9lcj29i33NHkW14ce1ISnpeiiZg-LOWUWUIsV-hjnRUr82o3cAfAYTSTcT6DoyztXXcYwClSWFjZO24Q8sklGV7kbBWSaxTHzpTmxdj0p5bVQnPTJ63BdpZ7j6tN5I_n3Ns7w/s2089/card%20-%20scraps.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2089" data-original-width="1683" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCJ5MoyqOJ6a9Vz6NKZaUHeFir0Y-ucop1urXeaeyR5DKn18V2T8jDDS9lcj29i33NHkW14ce1ISnpeiiZg-LOWUWUIsV-hjnRUr82o3cAfAYTSTcT6DoyztXXcYwClSWFjZO24Q8sklGV7kbBWSaxTHzpTmxdj0p5bVQnPTJ63BdpZ7j6tN5I_n3Ns7w/w161-h200/card%20-%20scraps.jpg" width="161" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I have started washing and cutting up celery stalks as soon as I bring them home from the market. I cut the root end just enough to discard any dirt, then I cut the ribs off making sure that the bottom of all ribs stay connected to the root end. I cut the tops/leaves off, then cut the rest of the ribs into about six inch lengths. I wrap all of the ribs, tops/leaves, and root end in a damp paper towel, and put it all in a gallon zip log bag. I have sticks for snacking or chopping for recipes, I have tops and leaves for soups, and I have the root to stew with a chicken. All the parts stay crisp and fresh much longer this way then when I just put it away in the bag it came home in from the store. And all the clean up is done. Thanks, me!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">3. Just last week, I mentioned here that I had invited friends to stay this summer so that I would have an incentive to declutter. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And yet did I take immediate action. No. My brother-in-law (out of the blue) mentioned this Wednesday that he may come visit TODAY! Now THAT got me moving, and there has been some progress in the guest room. I am not guaranteeing he won't stub a toe, and it's not clutter free, but the bed is cleaned off and changed, and the guest bath is ready for company. </span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the room that used to be dedicated to kids' play, so there is quite a bit to evaluate for future usefulness. Yesterday I went through a large bin full of dress-up clothes. Most of them were evening dresses and shoes that had belonged to my mother. Oh, my; the grandgirls had so much fun playing in those for <i>years! </i>Looking them over today, they had been worn to tatters. I enjoyed touching each item and remembering the girls wearing them and the funny things they did and said. And then I </span><span style="font-family: arial;">filled a big black yard bag full, and it is now in the outside garbage bin. They are all synthetic fabrics, so I won't bother trying to recycle them further.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. I found a recipe for a homemade cake mix yesterday; so simple and handy to keep in the pantry. It also limits the processing and additives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. I was able to reserve two brand-new books at the library. I've been waiting to pick them up until I'm out this afternoon for a doctor appointment and can combine trips.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the menu this week:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Saturday: Sunday supper at Kasey & Beau's (a day early)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sunday: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Virginia's Taco Soup</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Monday: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Goulash</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday: takeout Baked Potatoes w/ BBQ brisket</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wednesday: Bow Tie Pasta w/ homemade sauce</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday: Leftovers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Friday: houseguest, dinner out I think</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**designates meatless meal</span></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-48598401612100644682024-02-14T20:49:00.000-06:002024-02-14T20:49:01.363-06:00What I'm reading Wednesday...<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2pxYlE9FIHZjpLQbpDPX_CW47Pq8ePBHUyY-yXLmnbLSRUlWB1UGZjddlKsKk8KESB8i8X3TlxPQrY70GuaDcWDSQPEHeuSXCiToqWgFWa0OULbcARPJUBPpdnGI52Jb3vJxJbOAyATNMYq7qBn4EkG6B8dwWTNFN1qN-P2qyBTM6M0AaM3YWXCwm8KP/s383/book%20-%20An%20American%20in%20Scotland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2pxYlE9FIHZjpLQbpDPX_CW47Pq8ePBHUyY-yXLmnbLSRUlWB1UGZjddlKsKk8KESB8i8X3TlxPQrY70GuaDcWDSQPEHeuSXCiToqWgFWa0OULbcARPJUBPpdnGI52Jb3vJxJbOAyATNMYq7qBn4EkG6B8dwWTNFN1qN-P2qyBTM6M0AaM3YWXCwm8KP/s320/book%20-%20An%20American%20in%20Scotland.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>An American in Scotland</i> by Lucy Connelly</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The last couple of books have taxed my brain power. I need an easy read, and hope this is it.</span></div><br /> <p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-86382221491796904752024-02-10T15:59:00.002-06:002024-02-10T16:10:49.182-06:00Better Than Yesterday, week 1...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPEV_JsP3EEjuek-r8AtTU-7PQJjC4Cel4eRQHAT_ArWBhP36XeYikX5-m4JHJtLahbueFcVMI8scuGEyeVP6syixsMpSGCQ_4fagnO26_vZT0h_cg18rZhpSq3lpXo7itCLxyD9x0jssPHYDVxj_-VCN1jiPrYbvi_U42qRRSF0_MRYkbQdiIO0N6RNm/s3531/BETTER%20WK1%202-10-2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2204" data-original-width="3531" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPEV_JsP3EEjuek-r8AtTU-7PQJjC4Cel4eRQHAT_ArWBhP36XeYikX5-m4JHJtLahbueFcVMI8scuGEyeVP6syixsMpSGCQ_4fagnO26_vZT0h_cg18rZhpSq3lpXo7itCLxyD9x0jssPHYDVxj_-VCN1jiPrYbvi_U42qRRSF0_MRYkbQdiIO0N6RNm/s320/BETTER%20WK1%202-10-2024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div> <span style="font-family: arial;">Above are week 1's cards. I didn't complete them all perfectly, but fun overall.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. NO SWEARING FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I did better than I thought I would. I said "Damn" or "Dammit" a total of four times I believe.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. TITLE A PIECE OF PAPER "WHATEVER IS WRITTEN HERE WILL COME TRUE." THEN WRITE SOMETHING ON IT.<br /></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I did not complete this one. I should have just written "the bed linens will be changed today," and been done with it. That didn't seem like what the card was asking for though. It felt like it was calling for sending out a wish to the universe. I'm really not into the law of manifestation or attraction or whatever it is called. I have a foreboding that whatever I try to bring about will turn out badly or have an unintended negative effect. So I'll just leave it up to the One who can be trusted...and go change the bed linens.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. SPEND FIVE MINUTES AND WRITE DOWN HOW YOU'RE REALLY FEELING RIGHT NOW -- LEAVE NOTHING OUT.</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">This was a rather unsettling week. My eldest sister passed away after years of living in an increasingly shrinking world of dementia. We had a difficult relationship at times, so it was good to pour out the mixture of feelings I was experiencing. This is my second sister to pass from dementia; the losses it brings are a misery for everyone.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. SPEND A COUPLE MINUTES TALKING AND LISTENING TO A CHILD.</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I didn't think I would be able to complete this one, as I generally do not come across small children these days. But then I had a phone call from Caitlyn (who usually texts). She is away at college, but she will always be a precious little girl to me, so I'm counting it. She was ranting about something she knew I would commiserate with. Most pleasant conversation. :)</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. LEAVE A NICE NOTE FOR YOUR MAIL CARRIER. </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">This is yet to be completed, but it will be.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">6. GIVE A COMPLIMENT TO SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW.<br /></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">While shopping I kept finding myself running across a mother with a toddler and an infant in her cart. The toddler was repeatedly calling out for his father who was elsewhere in the store with a preschool sibling. I always try to chat to young moms a bit complimenting their childrens' appearance or intellect or speech. Those days can be exhausting, but a compliment can give at least a moment of affirmation.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">7. BUY A RUBIK'S CUBE AND TRY TO SOLVE IT.</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I have not done this one yet. I think I will see if one of my kids or grandkids has one I can borrow.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Till next week!</span></div><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-20618835825211681952024-02-09T23:51:00.001-06:002024-02-10T00:20:00.837-06:002024 Frugal Friday File, February 9...<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s320/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="320" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s1600/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. I had to be in a neighboring town today for some bloodwork. Since the miles were already driven, I went by their Dollar Tree to get some spot remover that I had seen recommended on another blog. I just finished up my last bottle of laundry pre-treat spray ($3 - $5) which didn't even work that great, so I felt like spending $1.25 on this was worth a shot. I browsed, but managed to not let anything else fall in my cart.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. Reading a library book (again).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. It irritates me when my favorite wooden spoon is in the dishwasher. (I know wooden utensils and cutting boards aren't supposed to go in the dishwasher, but all of mine have for years, and show no ill effects.) I digress.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I can never remember how old my daughter is without doing the math, but I do remember that this favorite spoon came from IKEA about 10 years. (Go figure!) There is an IKEA about 30 miles away, so when I had other errands to run near there, I went on a weekday this week. ( I would never, ever venture there on a weekend!)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They actually still had the exact shape of spoon that is my favorite! I bought a lifetime supply of my favorite spoon (plus a few more for good measure), a 99¢ funnel, and three 99</span><span style="font-family: arial;">¢ measuring cups (one for myself and 2 for others). Less than $25 total, and Christmas shopping has begun. (</span><span style="font-family: arial;">The </span><span style="font-family: arial;">extra spoons I bought are for a planned craft project / gifts.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. I have been foregoing a haircut for months, as I want a longer style, and if I go in too soon, they just cut off the growth progress I've made. I think it's past the ugliest stage, and is starting to look more intentional than accidental again. And I just realized that it has been ten years since I've stopped coloring my hair...that is a frugal milestone!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. I invited a friend of mine and a friend of hers to stay with me in July while the friend of hers is attending an educational workshop in the next town over. Frugal for them, a visit with my friend, a chance to get to know her friend, but my main reason was because it's a darn good incentive to declutter the house between now and then!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the menu this week: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Saturday: Leftovers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sunday: Sunday supper at Kasey & Beau's</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Monday: Homecooked from freezer - Chicken Curry</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday: Spanish Rice</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wednesday: Leftovers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday: takeout fried chicken</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Friday: Homecooked from freezer - Chicken Spaghetti</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**designates meatless meal</span></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-11671683073583509552024-02-07T22:45:00.001-06:002024-02-08T01:47:50.032-06:00What I'm reading Wednesday...<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4FzDRdj0W3gFngsV3lClUhB-vLtDkCLL0_A-M7VhaxBUCiO007-k8Dmdn1-mxyzWRX8QZ8DOGVxRdUmCKekJGbEzK2ozRS5Do66LN19R1Xy4w4IT7yW_khO5SA8YNzJXQMcM8Dru6ZCjz1pNE6ZrOx0PobzqLvjpQDRrRtpTWrCyC7gI7U4suZvv3EwI/s2389/book%20-%20Still%20Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2389" data-original-width="1473" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4FzDRdj0W3gFngsV3lClUhB-vLtDkCLL0_A-M7VhaxBUCiO007-k8Dmdn1-mxyzWRX8QZ8DOGVxRdUmCKekJGbEzK2ozRS5Do66LN19R1Xy4w4IT7yW_khO5SA8YNzJXQMcM8Dru6ZCjz1pNE6ZrOx0PobzqLvjpQDRrRtpTWrCyC7gI7U4suZvv3EwI/s320/book%20-%20Still%20Life.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Still Life </i>by Sarah Winman</div><br /> <p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-86411409981742230162024-02-05T22:54:00.000-06:002024-02-05T22:54:30.967-06:00Monday at the library...<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenrpeHWsxzHkmVsEfXeax44xg19yYZ4qgE7j67yJNAFhmSbY8MXeyo3jCx-loPsDd43vgHHLEkNumqzj_kBgCNqfVUuH82JofMc2qdnzzBZgHTNKVS3bDvQgfIrZyrp86l3byroNz5_DMUJK2h1zjHd7ry-zT4MU3LVv4EaRaxi9aB6I0GrB53r8HuwMO/s3665/9%20patch%20squares%202-5-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2492" data-original-width="3665" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenrpeHWsxzHkmVsEfXeax44xg19yYZ4qgE7j67yJNAFhmSbY8MXeyo3jCx-loPsDd43vgHHLEkNumqzj_kBgCNqfVUuH82JofMc2qdnzzBZgHTNKVS3bDvQgfIrZyrp86l3byroNz5_DMUJK2h1zjHd7ry-zT4MU3LVv4EaRaxi9aB6I0GrB53r8HuwMO/s320/9%20patch%20squares%202-5-2024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Terrible washed-out photo because of bad lighting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Went to quilting group at the library today. I'm pretty hit or miss with it since retiring, as last month I was working on its scheduled day, and next month I'll be working as well. Now that the nine patch squares above are sewn together, I will be cutting them apart and adding other squares and sashing before I'm done. Could be another five years or so. 😂 But seriously, I hope not, but...</span></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-39988659550513514932024-02-03T14:17:00.000-06:002024-02-03T14:17:02.885-06:00Better Than Yesterday...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhQkd6l1yU1FlMT_qalMyjmc0p44RN_o1v9DUGpKD5Fs_-jcdWtNwfT9JTTfUmpW2JvXJSKhivRH0U46V9lMlx5xzgCuVe0m4m839mK_lKdP9UJT550Unvnd9j9jCfALZH9DU3Q2T5cMVbkHpYJdH4e29WMjpxWzZsUxeg6tvmF1U5KXvMwCwl0M7IaCl/s4000/2-3-24%20Better%20Than%20Yesterday%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhQkd6l1yU1FlMT_qalMyjmc0p44RN_o1v9DUGpKD5Fs_-jcdWtNwfT9JTTfUmpW2JvXJSKhivRH0U46V9lMlx5xzgCuVe0m4m839mK_lKdP9UJT550Unvnd9j9jCfALZH9DU3Q2T5cMVbkHpYJdH4e29WMjpxWzZsUxeg6tvmF1U5KXvMwCwl0M7IaCl/s320/2-3-24%20Better%20Than%20Yesterday%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I saw this "Better Than Yesterday" card set a few days ago on <a href="https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dicky Bird's Nest blog</a>. I immediately had to look into them, and mine arrived yesterday. (I know, I know...another impulse purchase.) It's not a game. Each card has an action, and each day you choose a card and take the action on the card. Wouldn't you know the very first card I pulled would be 'No swearing for the next 24 hours!' I've already had a minor slip...it may have been as I was reading the card. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqwXo6k-k3l9kj2qh7UCHJk-WViqFmfJLx8VIHiBtzqbslvMgQTsceBprKxQP4PYNlsEewFaG5zYARcDhEqMJuUvv4lOndzERBGl6d1MVAc1YtDfRcDBWSYWdYwRSp_Chr_0mAz3scsg0R26ekugiHQPwI02EcdbBzWt4VylJlr4LeNmCF10LWIoN4NFi/s4000/2-3-24%20Better%20Than%20Yesterday%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqwXo6k-k3l9kj2qh7UCHJk-WViqFmfJLx8VIHiBtzqbslvMgQTsceBprKxQP4PYNlsEewFaG5zYARcDhEqMJuUvv4lOndzERBGl6d1MVAc1YtDfRcDBWSYWdYwRSp_Chr_0mAz3scsg0R26ekugiHQPwI02EcdbBzWt4VylJlr4LeNmCF10LWIoN4NFi/s320/2-3-24%20Better%20Than%20Yesterday%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I think I will leave the box on my kitchen table, with the card of the day turned up at the front as a reminder, and as I complete the action task I will move the card to the back of the box. My plan is to show all the week's cards here on Saturdays. The one's I've looked at are pretty interesting. I've only looked at very few, as I want them to be fresh as I go through them. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-37911077305546122032024-02-02T09:25:00.008-06:002024-02-05T21:43:32.555-06:002024 Frugal Friday File, February 2...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s320/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="320" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s1600/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. Was there anything frugal here this week? I suppose...but not much to write home about. I've been reading library book...I'm going to have to recheck the second one, as I didn't get to it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though we wore layers, had a fire in the fireplace, etc to try to avoid a big electric bill due to the severe cold snap we had, it didn't quite work out. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The electric bill arrived, and it was $531.60! It hasn't been that high since the first winter we moved here, when the furnace had a problem that made it very inefficient. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I made a crock-pot meal yesterday that smelled fabulous all afternoon, but tasted awful. We discarded the leftovers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Our more successful efforts:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. I remembered to return a purchase </span><span style="font-family: arial;">within the return period when it was</span><span style="font-family: arial;">n't as I had hoped. It was an impulse purchase, so you'd think I would learn. :(</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. I've been drinking more water, and decreasing sodas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. We paid property taxes, and they were less than we had expected.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. Though I've been longing to go to a movie for the entertainment and popcorn, there hasn't been ANYTHING showing that I thought was worth shelling out for.</span></p><p><i style="font-family: arial;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: arial;">On the menu this week:</i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Saturday: leftovers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sunday: supper at Kasey & Beau's </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Monday: Dinner out at our favorite Mexican restaurant</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday: Twice-baked sweet potatoes with chicken</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wednesday: Chicken & Dressing casserole</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday: Crock Pot Chicken and Vegetables</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**Friday: Vegetable Pizza</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**designates meatless meal</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-34847446781005599402024-01-31T11:07:00.001-06:002024-01-31T11:07:00.343-06:00Twice baked sweet potatoes with chicken...<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1AAsiWTKXptY35gymKB-IWTPUkHvV5gM2wJjJffMp6X1o2HwHrICRGFmkW9vmK8HTDBo1pZ655TxvrGPH-JHfZKmRxkN1z6HspWehjmjZDzQc2VuVN8T3FOavbTlODqCY1ZxEBRM7h7O3hyphenhyphenySrBXwSD8LZKOnOVrSkS-JFSA8TQxxKxYZyO2K38m4Q_W/s3109/recipe%20-%20twice%20baked%20sweet%20potatoes%20w%20chicken%20and%20bacon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2205" data-original-width="3109" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1AAsiWTKXptY35gymKB-IWTPUkHvV5gM2wJjJffMp6X1o2HwHrICRGFmkW9vmK8HTDBo1pZ655TxvrGPH-JHfZKmRxkN1z6HspWehjmjZDzQc2VuVN8T3FOavbTlODqCY1ZxEBRM7h7O3hyphenhyphenySrBXwSD8LZKOnOVrSkS-JFSA8TQxxKxYZyO2K38m4Q_W/s320/recipe%20-%20twice%20baked%20sweet%20potatoes%20w%20chicken%20and%20bacon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Twice-baked Sweet Potatoes with Chicken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was an off-the-cuff experiment, and they were fab</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ulous and very filling! I'm putting recipe here so I can remember how next time! I didn't serve anything with these, but a salad would go nicely.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ingedients:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 or 3 frozen chicken thighs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 or 3 strips bacon</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 large or 3 medium sweet potatoes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 Tablespoons butter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1/4 cup sour cream</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1 Tablespoon Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1 teaspoon of Tajin seasoning</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1/2 cup Monterrey Jack cheese</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Directions:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lay the frozen chicken thighs side by side in bottom of slow cooker. Lay strips of bacon across the tops of the chicken. Set on Low for 4 hours.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When the chicken has been cooking for 3 hours, flip the chicken and bacon, so that the bacon is resting on bottom of slow cooker, and chicken is on top of it, and continue cooking for remaining time. Wash and place the sweet potatoes on a foil lined baking sheet. Cover with foil, and place in a 350° F oven for 50 minutes. (Rather than individually wrapping the potatoes, the bottom and top covers simplify the preparation later.) At the end of 50 minutes remove from oven and set aside the top layer of foil. Pierce the sweet potatoes to be sure they are cooked through, if they are, p</span><span style="font-family: arial;">lace them on what was the top layer of foil, then pick up the foil and potatoes and place over the first piece of foil on baking sheet. This is just to make sure that any sweet juices that leaked from the potatoes during baking won't harden and make potatoes stick to that first layer of foil. Let sit for a few minutes while you use a fork to shred chicken and bacon,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Slice one long side of each sweet potato and scoop out most of the flesh (leaving about 1/4 inch to line the skin) and place flesh in a medium size bowl and mash. Add the remaining ingredients (<i>except </i>for the chicken/bacon) to the bowl and stir to combine. Add the flesh back to the skins, top with shredded chicken and bacon, and sprinkle a little more cheese on top. Return to the 350</span><span style="font-family: arial;">° oven for about 10 minutes or till heated through and cheese on top is melted. Enjoy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div> <p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-33897052137539486192024-01-30T10:38:00.001-06:002024-01-30T10:38:00.141-06:00A minor home project...<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli5BqP69xeM1FNd3uvIFj2kdvZi4KwZF49szdsxdsYyjCvm8n52RwnJcrZZYCURS4fDekQ7NeXQRpKJ3XsC8ZgctgXLaO6SfF7naF9gZSRCrIqmKhQ16Q_-snjds1vdyzKKan6E5vylsj6i2fr0RM_padr-SBlsOZJDiTqgKBL5toglblDK1Nkp_CBiAo/s4000/LIGHTS%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli5BqP69xeM1FNd3uvIFj2kdvZi4KwZF49szdsxdsYyjCvm8n52RwnJcrZZYCURS4fDekQ7NeXQRpKJ3XsC8ZgctgXLaO6SfF7naF9gZSRCrIqmKhQ16Q_-snjds1vdyzKKan6E5vylsj6i2fr0RM_padr-SBlsOZJDiTqgKBL5toglblDK1Nkp_CBiAo/s320/LIGHTS%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I have hated the dated look of these vanity lights since we moved in thirteen years ago, but they've never been a real priority. Never really found anything else that could be configured for our need. Though this mirror (shown above) only has one bar of lights, the other vanity in the room has a bar like this, and then another on the perpendicular wall. So for the three light bars, there are 20 or so bulbs.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-RVEfeUPUd0Vr51qf-SQPO9k0LRNQFJqIqjGKzbN2aXskkVvXhi8NAZUWZ-Yx3uZ8FHuPoCzqGdfyHYwobnOb-r0vOevmmGxFR74gV9Ot4_WnD9jCYenOQKgvJBkmYl1dDt6_B6dTwarrzT9QK69itioR0pgoxHF0mYp_edSks7gcgoSdCQctLmINnSK/s4000/LIGHTS%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-RVEfeUPUd0Vr51qf-SQPO9k0LRNQFJqIqjGKzbN2aXskkVvXhi8NAZUWZ-Yx3uZ8FHuPoCzqGdfyHYwobnOb-r0vOevmmGxFR74gV9Ot4_WnD9jCYenOQKgvJBkmYl1dDt6_B6dTwarrzT9QK69itioR0pgoxHF0mYp_edSks7gcgoSdCQctLmINnSK/s320/LIGHTS%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I found these socket inserts. They screw into the light bar, and they have a swivel extension that allows the bulb to be oriented downward.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRyL520uYEuLb4bXd6Jwuv1O1MnQ2TrLVg7AAn8Zukbv_E4pVED4qpEVx2XEsOyFVfC1jceE5mESGRKwr2j76hk0_gH_nzfyJLFNEC8wlbSCpPjPAx_wCNd304jss90-5jByGu2dspoDcnyWeGkVMZpupELYmHl6nsbRz8M-r039Asc3yS6bFz7gH1npY/s3169/LIGHTS%203%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2193" data-original-width="3169" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRyL520uYEuLb4bXd6Jwuv1O1MnQ2TrLVg7AAn8Zukbv_E4pVED4qpEVx2XEsOyFVfC1jceE5mESGRKwr2j76hk0_gH_nzfyJLFNEC8wlbSCpPjPAx_wCNd304jss90-5jByGu2dspoDcnyWeGkVMZpupELYmHl6nsbRz8M-r039Asc3yS6bFz7gH1npY/s320/LIGHTS%203%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I replaced the round bulbs with Edison bulbs. It's a small change, but is a slight update. I'm living with it for awhile, trying to decide if I want the chrome fixtures removed from the wall and painted more of a bronze color. Thoughts?</span><p></p><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-59747620999062751882024-01-26T10:00:00.327-06:002024-01-28T03:14:46.579-06:00Frugal Friday File 2024, January 26...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s320/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="320" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA6Ax-kaOeVpI-s_Hmjp5pqHoj3Pm3QxFJRq3nhdkG_4PLx6UJ5oeOD9j8F7tpPSJNnyFlV4IKuAxb-cOVpRp22ftQhWU_MC5fv4iEklxulloHgfJXfNLU8ZLou_S7LCDBx7TGbaM7zKPK8NKi0vYAF7HWbll2S6vABXRMcSH-buiP8EYMdTutdg2gg/s1600/frugal%20friday%20file%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. Right before the end of the year, I added "stop using 'baby' carrots" to my 2024 Bucket List of Hopes. Not because of any scary article I've read, but because I'm retired now. When I was working I fell back on some conveniences that I don't really need to rely on anymore. After doing a rough pr</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ice comparison at my grocery, it seems that I can save 1/3 to 1/2 of what we spend on carrots by buying old-fashioned, unprocessed, whole ones. I'm retired; I have the time now. And they taste better! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. The new grocery credit card is doing its job so far. We've only had it since the new year started, and the rewards (5% back on store brands, and 1.5% back on all other purchases) already amount to $15.33, and the $50 sign-up bonus for charging a certain amount within initial period has already paid into the account. This really highlights just how much we spend on food...approximately $600 so far this month, and $75 of that was for meals out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. After a week at home trying to stay warm, when the sun started shining, I went and did some impulse shopping at Dollar Tree (so it wasn't <i><b>too</b></i> much of a splurge). I bought some Betty Crocker sugar cookie mixes and some Rolo candies to pop on top of the cookies after they come out of the oven, a small tin of shortbread, a lip balm, 2 pair of socks, and a few other items. Some of these were to include in a birthday box I was mailing to a friend, some of them were for Valentine treats, some of them were for the pantry.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. When I mailed my friend's birthday package, the postage cost more than anything that was in the box. We've been exchanging birthday boxes of goodies for years, and never anything big. My favorite thing she ever included in my box was one of the coffee cups from her set of dishes; when I use it I feel like I'm sitting in her kitchen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I keep a small clear bin on my desk with her name on it, and add things as I find them throughout the year. We share a love of card making, so anytime I accidentally buy duplicate supplies, or intentionally want to share a favorite something, I pop it in her bin on my desk to go in her next birthday box. We gift wrap each item, and it is so fun to both give and receive. It doesn't cost a lot to make someone feel special.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">5. All meals were made at home this week. Still managing to squeeze toothpaste out of a flat tube. Reading library books. Used styrofoam from packing material, cut in odd shapes, to create a drainage area in the bottom of a plant pot. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the menu this week: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Saturday: Fish sandwiches, coleslaw, leftover mac-n-cheese, onion rings</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sunday: Sunday supper at Kasey & Beau's</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**Monday: Quiche with Hashbrown Crust </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**Tuesday: Carey had leftover potato soup, I had avocado toast</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wednesday: Virginia's Taco Soup</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">**Thursday: Kale & Quinoa Salad, roasted beets/sweet potato/onion/bell pepper/chick peas</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Friday: Sausage w/ carrots/onion/bell pepper & Mushroom Rice</span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">(</span><span style="font-family: arial;">**designates meatless meal)</span></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-74318347890415333932024-01-24T08:47:00.003-06:002024-01-24T08:47:00.127-06:00What I'm reading Wednesday...<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9lo3Zq9jEl_PiDNT0J454Jj70WWl_MykfAGKU0dj2Jmby-eqX40Bhu4YnSFauTmT9TuVqLmwC6TWy4FZSBf58ZI9hn4C_xwW5S8GOrqTxfCP_tVlAk7RAZbnLqboPGiiblGqnC1leGHPGVndnLSTe-j-bypvRj-AuNICGKBS2y-FQUZXwQyrdYIBqkjs/s1500/book%20-%20Oath%20and%20Honor%20by%20Liz%20Cheney.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="969" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9lo3Zq9jEl_PiDNT0J454Jj70WWl_MykfAGKU0dj2Jmby-eqX40Bhu4YnSFauTmT9TuVqLmwC6TWy4FZSBf58ZI9hn4C_xwW5S8GOrqTxfCP_tVlAk7RAZbnLqboPGiiblGqnC1leGHPGVndnLSTe-j-bypvRj-AuNICGKBS2y-FQUZXwQyrdYIBqkjs/s320/book%20-%20Oath%20and%20Honor%20by%20Liz%20Cheney.jpg" width="207" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning</i> by Liz Cheney</div><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-15083979172738001092024-01-23T17:45:00.005-06:002024-01-23T17:45:30.789-06:00Mom is relegated to furniture...<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrxM17reJipDeSBGSun8BE5Ep-to6a9oTP_N9x4xh2gSo1uE2hdYUC_7tob04aOTH8Q-J44pAYFK4DzkE25TWYsTAZyO47Qzf19eKFZFshB05QA2V-QULg8kvKFxbGekcIjVaWkDlv1ET7Xs_lCPH8J3oZOs-AGdBv_J0CxNcu8MnBKs_OCxQx_pO-B9k/s4000/Rudy%20mom%20is%20furniture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrxM17reJipDeSBGSun8BE5Ep-to6a9oTP_N9x4xh2gSo1uE2hdYUC_7tob04aOTH8Q-J44pAYFK4DzkE25TWYsTAZyO47Qzf19eKFZFshB05QA2V-QULg8kvKFxbGekcIjVaWkDlv1ET7Xs_lCPH8J3oZOs-AGdBv_J0CxNcu8MnBKs_OCxQx_pO-B9k/s320/Rudy%20mom%20is%20furniture.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is absolutely ridiculous when I make myself sit still so that Rudy can have a good nap!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I think it may be time for me to make one of these...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ECWVkybeEMOVD9fz3LOGou3nO1QQxm9kdkamxOT4MfR1QOTpXIoCSCwAL3fQ19JhQtsPtT5ra6MVuZWYnZAq8eC_mbvQe7_2VJfnc4EVCnxSrsxxR6l8wkAbo3JtsG7F-v5ESfPA9fdZ01ip9tPZGQ7aFEGk6MKhCwoiqlkSeR2bG1Vcv_4GhlQG18t/s400/lap%20pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="400" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ECWVkybeEMOVD9fz3LOGou3nO1QQxm9kdkamxOT4MfR1QOTpXIoCSCwAL3fQ19JhQtsPtT5ra6MVuZWYnZAq8eC_mbvQe7_2VJfnc4EVCnxSrsxxR6l8wkAbo3JtsG7F-v5ESfPA9fdZ01ip9tPZGQ7aFEGk6MKhCwoiqlkSeR2bG1Vcv_4GhlQG18t/s320/lap%20pillow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't know who to give credit to for this idea, but whoever they are, they are brilliant! Of course, everybody in my family has short legs, so ours may not be comfortable for a larger dog, but it might be worth a trip to goodwill for a used pair donated by a taller person. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If I have any success, I'll let you know.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div> <p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-3573659972754377172024-01-22T21:18:00.006-06:002024-01-22T21:33:56.856-06:00Just another manic Monday...<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I actually got pretty much done today. Sometime after midnight, I finished making my menu for the week and placing our grocery order. Then after some sleep, I packed a box of birthday goodies for a friend. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I stopped at WalMart to pick up some potting soil, then</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> picked up the grocery order. I dropped off a library book and picked up two more. I mailed the birthday package. I stopped by my old office to pick up a plant that I wanted to repot for them. I came home and put away all the groceries that needed refrigeration and then repotted the plant. I returned the plant to the office. I came home and cleaned the bathroom, and then read a chapter in one of my new library books. I put away all the rest of the groceries, started supper, then loaded the dishwasher with all the supper-prep dishes and handwashed a couple of things I don't like to put in the dishwasher. Whew!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVelSM7_Mm1ypBGGPAi9rpHKH2LkhVRLA_ch7jEAD3Pb6GgD6UOBzaNbr_8-cIlIAHarcw4C4hSJ18huUPCTddHWljbA2nf1CN1xesjQPlH0npMrsZ7rwzalhuYTKe0_1-focW8wOzKhTelG4rlb3NwSm12WP6gFLmGeoAVcqr-sSufr1rdFVtafVhc9t/s3550/01-22-2024%20hashbrown%20crust%20quiche.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2617" data-original-width="3550" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVelSM7_Mm1ypBGGPAi9rpHKH2LkhVRLA_ch7jEAD3Pb6GgD6UOBzaNbr_8-cIlIAHarcw4C4hSJ18huUPCTddHWljbA2nf1CN1xesjQPlH0npMrsZ7rwzalhuYTKe0_1-focW8wOzKhTelG4rlb3NwSm12WP6gFLmGeoAVcqr-sSufr1rdFVtafVhc9t/s320/01-22-2024%20hashbrown%20crust%20quiche.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bellyfull.net/hash-brown-crusted-quiche-with-sausage/" target="_blank">Quiche with Hashbrown Crust recipe by bellyfull.net</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Apologies for the photo (actually for a lot of photos lately). It's the dark days.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I saw this recipe on Instagram a day or two ago and thought I'd give it a try. I made this one a little differently than the recipe that was given. Hers had sausage, and I wanted to make it meatless. Mine is so full of vegetables that I didn't even bother with adding a salad or separate vegetable to accompany it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The crust is easy. I bought a bag of shredded potato which equaled about the 3 cups that the recipe calls for. You just add a quarter cup (half a stick) of melted butter, the hashbrowns, and salt and pepper, then press it into a pie pan. The author of the recipe said to grease the pie pan, but I just melted the butter in the pie plate in the microwave, so considered it greased. Baked at 375° for 30 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I sliced an onion, a bell pepper, mushrooms and sauteed them till tender; then I added halved cherry tomatoes and a couple of handfuls of baby spinach to the pan and removed the pan from the heat. When the crust had baked, I added the vegetables to it, then poured on the mixture of eggs, cream, shredded cheese, salt and pepper evenly and baked at 375 for an additional 30 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I liked it. Carey sad he preferred a traditional pastry crust, but I was trying to really ramp up the vegetable content. I don't think he has caught on yet that we are eating more meatless meals this year...at least he hasn't said anything. ;) I think tonight's quiche puts us at 5 meatless meals so far this month, which beats my goal of 2 per month. And actually probably more, because some of the leftovers we've been eating were meatless as well.</span></div><br /><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003449481427890465.post-90361756370990598722024-01-20T10:00:00.001-06:002024-01-20T10:00:00.130-06:00Comfort food on a cold day...<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFwacvYIJy9I3-XTyccWOHzXEbdxgAgJheuGfoOe2kLz7ukqs6wzoMDKPsRqvqnGld83bDq7B0omC1CSl7LDuFxYUdOo9gJXng33qwr9QnX19jS-Vh-dTHwUoCsVSD5L9itlNEbj7ky2-HGmpgABmLbHC-t0ueg9HeJqbTmQ5YtWPLKWcAMTSJon0JVCi/s3424/01-19-2024%20potato%20soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3424" data-original-width="2656" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFwacvYIJy9I3-XTyccWOHzXEbdxgAgJheuGfoOe2kLz7ukqs6wzoMDKPsRqvqnGld83bDq7B0omC1CSl7LDuFxYUdOo9gJXng33qwr9QnX19jS-Vh-dTHwUoCsVSD5L9itlNEbj7ky2-HGmpgABmLbHC-t0ueg9HeJqbTmQ5YtWPLKWcAMTSJon0JVCi/s320/01-19-2024%20potato%20soup.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Potato Soup w/ Cheddar Bay Biscuits</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wasn't feeling great yesterday. When it came time to start supper, all I wanted was soup. So I made a change to the menu. Potato soup comes together so easily. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It was never something we had at our house when I was growing up. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">A former brother-in-law taught me how to make it when I was about twelve. It was so easy, I never wrote it down, and never forgot it. And I never make it without thinking of him.</span></div><p></p>kath001http://www.blogger.com/profile/15419353146614030036noreply@blogger.com4