What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy

I love Maeve Binchy.  So sad she is not with us anymore.  So happy I found this book of hers that I'd never read.

The Frugal Friday File 2021, week 18...

Successes:
1.  Our water softener bit the dust (or choked on all the minerals in our water).  Carey ordered a new one and installed it himself.  After a month or so of cloudy dishes, white coating inside my icemaker, and build up on toilets, sinks, and shower, we are back in business.  It really is a necessity here, as the minerals will shorten the life of things like dishwasher, water heater, fridge ice maker, etc, and make it harder to keep the toilets, sinks, and shower clean.

2.  This week I did buy a couple of ebooks, but not without checking the library website first, as well as looking for used hard copies online.  The ones I bought are ones I have been thinking about for quite awhile, and ones that I think Carey and I will both read and enjoy.  While doing the library search I found others by the same authors that also sounded good, so those I checked out.

3.   I have everything I need in the pantry to make dessert to take with us for Sunday family  supper...our first with the kids in over a year!  And it will be for Mothers Day...YAY!  Carey and I are fully vaccinated.  Kasey is too.  Not sure about Jared or Beau, and pretty sure the kids aren't.  But I will wear a mask when we aren't eating and keep my distance. 

4.  I made and sent cards. 

5.  Had to make an appointment for a new doctor in the city, but found that he comes to our community twice a month.  Yay...less work missed and less gasoline expended.  I also called my friend the RN whose husband is also an RN in this field, and found out that he has good opinion of this doctor.

 

The Frugal Friday File 2021, week 17...

 

Successes:
1.  Did really well at cooking out of freezer/pantry this week.  The chicken that cooked last weekend was very handy.  When it came out of the slow cooker we had Shredded Chicken Burrito Bowls with on-hand ingredients, and will definitely make them again...yum!  The unused chicken was all shredded and went into the fridge.  The next night we had an improvised pasta bake with more of the chicken...it was okay, but nothing to write home on the blog about.  Two days later I found a recipe for White Chicken Chili from The Recipe Rebel that I had all ingredients for.  Hers was an Instant Pot recipe, but since my chicken was already cooked and shredded, I adapted for a quick stove-top meal.  It was really good, and will also be made again.

2.  A visit to the doctor, and she adjusted my meds, stopping one of them altogether.  Nice to keep track of...and pay for...one less.

3.  Reading a library ebook.

4.  I have a favorite kitchen tool that my mother gifted me decades ago.  I always wanted a spare, but in all these years I've never found them.  Found it this week at a super low price, so I bought a bunch for stocking stuffers.  Christmas shopping has begun!

5.  Pail all bills; on time and without fees.

What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

Set in the first century, this imagines that Jesus had a wife named Ana.  

I've barely started this.  I've enjoyed the author's previous work, so thought I'd give this one a try since it was available from the library as an ebook.

The Frugal Friday File 2021, week 16...

Successes:

1.  We had breakfast for supper twice this week.  It was either that, go for takeout, or go grocery shopping first.  Breakfast food on hand was quicker, cheaper, easier.

2.  Received second Covid vaccine.  Yay!  I missed a couple of hours of work to get the shot, then the next day I missed a few more hours when I went home early with side effects.  When I filled in my time sheet, I used the 'special use time off' code that my company has offered for Covid-related time off needs.  Saved me almost a day's worth of regular sick-time to use later if necessary.

3.  I bought new white t-shirts for this spring/summer when a favorite brand/style went on sale.  The old ones, though they may be stained or have pinholes, will make great 100% cotton rags when cut up.

4.  Chicken in the slow cooker today will be the start of several meals over the next few days.

5.  Eating out of the freezer and pantry this week.

What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier

What I'm reading Wednesday...

The Spanish Flu Epidemic and Its Influence on History

by Jaime Breitnauer

I have found myself thinking of my father even more than usual since the Covid-19 pandemic started...like every time I wash my hands.  My father was a very thorough hand washer, and he made sure we knew how to wash ours as well: soap and water, palms and backs, between each finger and above the wrist.  For my whole life I thought he just didn't like his hands to be dirty.

But since the pandemic started, and the constant reminders to wash our hands, I've wondered if his habit had roots in instruction he had during the 1918 pandemic.

My father turned 8 years old in 1918.  Now I can imagine that he might have had lessons on thorough hand washing in school.  It could have been at home, but I think a school teacher would make more of a lasting impression.  He also was never without a handkerchief...they were what I learned to iron on...but all men carried handkerchiefs, right?  

Here's a public health poster from that pandemic that might tell us why all men carried handkerchiefs:

Interesting reading.