Frugal Friday File 2023, September 29...

 

1.  Reborrowed a library book that I did not get read last time I had it checked out.  I had to get back on the reserve list till my turn came round again.  I am determined to read it this time.  I will start tomorrow.  :)

2.  Watching a lot of PBS documentaries on YouTube (and also ones that I've had recorded forever, and need to watch so I can delete from the queue).  I've learned a lot about Ireland (The Famine and the Troubles), Frida Kahlo,  Edna St Vincent Millay, Oscar Wilde, Frank Baum. Has anyone else noticed how much more frequent the ads on YouTube are?  

3.  I received another check reimbursing part of chiropractic care.  That should be the last one (I think) as I haven't been back for more care since we got back from vacation.  Now I will start receiving 'explanation of benefits' for the hospital and surgeon, and probably bills for what wasn't covered, but I hope those won't be too high.

4.  Didn't do too terribly this week in the kitchen.  We did eat out tonight since I've been up since 3 a.m. and worked all day.  I am ready for soup weather!  I think next week we are supposed to have highs in the mid 80s.  I'll take it.  At least it shouldn't be over 100°.  Could those 100° days be over for the year?  Please?

5.  On-called today at my old office and knocked out the majority of my annual training.  I work next on 10/6, so fingers crossed I can finish the rest up then.  Due date is 11/1, 

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  frozen meal from freezer

Sunday:  supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  leftovers

Tuesday:  meatloaf, baked potatoes, cabbage

Wednesday:  homecooked meal from freezer

Thursday:  leftovers from Tuesday

Friday:  *barbecue baked potatoes w/ sliced brisket

Tonight's dessert was a hit...

Spiced Apple Custard and Cake Pie from Marie at The English Kitchen

I was trying to feel a little bit of the autumn cheer that friends have been voicing...it's so hard when it is still 100° F here.  But I needed a dessert idea for Sunday family supper at Kasey and Beau's, so I thought I could fight my no-fall-yet funk by searching for recipes that might be autumn friendly.  I came across this recipe while browsing around Marie's blog, The English Kitchen.  It struck my fancy, and I was really eager to try it.

Everybody loved it!  The recipe can be found by clicking the link at the top of this post to take you to The English Kitchen.  I will just say that it is achieved by starting with an unbaked pie crust, pouring in the cake batter, then evenly pouring the custard over the top of the cake batter and baking.  In the oven the custard sinks to the bottom, and the cake rises to the top.  Then while it's still warm you spoon over a glaze made from strong coffee and confectioners sugar.  It turns out just scrumptious!  I'll be keeping this recipe in the rotation.

 

Not Very Frugal Friday File 2023, September 22...

1.  Care package to college student.  Contents of nominal value:  snack crackers, sharpie, highlighter tape, a funny pin "Math: the only class that counts" (she's taking Calculus this semester), a pack of gum, a handmade card.  Postage expense:  $$$

     I saved a box that I had received something in a couple of months ago, because it was sturdy, without exterior printing, and of a size that was handy for mailing a gift (somewhat shoebox size, but not as long); it was perfect for mailing this care package.  I found an airtight storage container in my cupboard that exactly fit the box and held most of the batch of snack crackers I made on the weekend, and had enough room to slide in the other contents around the edges.  Two sheets of reused tissue paper were all the padding necessary.

2.  I have a rule about no ordering online between the hours of midnight and 8:00 a.m.  It works most of the time.  Earlier this week I woke up about 3:00 a.m. and decided it was time to order two chairs for the living room that I have been online researching recently.  Of course, I hadn't known that I was going to click "BUY" so I hadn't discussed it with Carey...I had a few ruffled feathers to smooth when I broke it to him when he woke up...and rightly so.  Ruffled feathers were quickly smoothed.  The chairs arrived within two days with free shipping, and Carey has one of them put together.  💕  (I felt okay about ordering without doing an in-person comfort test, because my sister-in-law has this same chair, and I fell in love with its style and comfort when we were there recently.  And with research I found them for 1/3 of the price the store sis purchased at advertises.)  

3.  I'd been holding off on depositing checks until I had other errands in the area of the credit union.  Sunday I received email that a book I had reserved at the library was ready to be picked up, right nextdoor to the credit union.  I immediately ordered prescription refills so I could pick those up in the same trip. And I ran across the street to Home Depot to pick up some magnetic sheets I needed.    I felt so good getting all those done in less than an hour and in just one trip!  It's 14 miles roundtrip to that part of town, so I like to batch errands.

4.  So much running around for medical appointments this week.  Monday had to go to neighboring town for a doctor appointment after a blood vessel burst in my eye.  Doesn't hurt, but looks pretty gross.  Just had to verify that it wouldn't risk procedure later in week.

     Wednesday had to go have pre-op bloodwork done.

     Thursday my portacath was replaced in outpatient surgery.  Ouch.

5.  I have four meals in the freezer from one-meal-to-eat/one-meal-to-freeze cooking in the last couple of weeks.  It will be appreciated by my sore-incision self in the next few days.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Roast, Potatoes, Carrots (2nd in freezer)

Sunday:  Sunday supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  *Takeout burgers

Tuesday:  Mexican Cornbread Casserole (2nd in freezer)

Wednesday:  Ruben sandwiches

Thursday:  *Takeout

Friday:  Homecooked meal from the freezer

Snack Cracker Recipe reboot...

Following is a repost of one of my previously run blog entries.

I'm including it since I just made this recipe again to include in a care package to our college student.

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

Here's a quick blog post and a quick recipe.  I'm giving mostly gift cards and gift certificates for Christmas, so I want to include them along with a little something else for the kids & grandkids to open.  This year there are no quilts like last Christmas!

But there will be some snacks and goodies, and here is one that is both super easy and super delicious!

Okay, these photos show the ingredients for 2 batches; one made with Cheez-Its and one made with Club Minis crackers (you can use regular saltines, but I couldn't find the small saltines, so I bought the Club Minis).  The recipe that follows is for 1 batch.  

Snack Crackers

In a bowl, whisk together:

   1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

   1 packet of Zesty Italian salad dressing mix

   1 packet of Ranch salad dressing mix

   1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or 1 Tablespoons if you like the heat)

Place 2  12.4 ounce boxes of crackers of your choice into a large airtight container.  Pour the oil/dressing  over the crackers, and turn to mix the oil throughout the crackers.  Turn the container every 30 minutes for 4 hours.

That's it!

I like to use my glass gallon jars, because two boxes of crackers fit in one jar easily, and the jars roll easily across the counter top, which makes mixing the oil throughout the crackers a snap.  After mixing periodically for 4 hours, I will pour the finished crackers into a gifting container (because my gallon jars are keepers...yeah...I AM selfish with them!)

Quiche and Pie Crust recipes...

I had a commenter ask about making my pie crust for quiche.  It is so, SO easy, and I thought I would post it here for anyone else interested.

My mother made pie crusts this way forever, and it's the one I use for every pie I make.  Tastes so much better than store bought!  A glass pie plate is required for this crust to turn out well.

I prepare the quiche filling ingredients before making the pie crust, so that the crust doesn't shrink before the filling is ready to go in.  

EASY PIE CRUST

In a 9" glass pie plate place:

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup vegetable oil (I have used olive oil for quiche or other savory pie, but use vegetable oil for dessert pies)

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp salt

Use your hands to mix the crust ingredients together in the pie plate, and when it is mixed, press it out to cover the plate and rim.

BASIC QUICHE RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 cup cream or milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/3 to 1/2 cup of grated or sliced cheese (Cheddar, Provolone, Swiss...whatever you have on hand)

1/3 to 1/2 cup of cooked bacon, sausage, or ham crumbled or diced

1 onion, diced or thinly sliced

1 bell pepper, diced or thinly sliced

Directions:

Saute the onion & green pepper in a little butter or bacon grease till almost tender.

Mix the eggs, cream, salt & pepper

Place cheese over the bottom of the pie crust.

Sprinkle the meat over the cheese.

Place onion & green pepper evenly over the meat layer.

Pour the egg mixture evenly over all.

Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.  Let rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Be creative with whatever you have on hand.  I've used salmon, squash, broccoli, etc.  Serve with a salad or vegetable.

I have other recipes at What's Cookin' 4 Miles North of Nowhere.  The link is always in the right-side column -->

Just for fun and a catch up...

 

A friend texted the above image to me this morning.  She sent some others that were also amusing, but this is my favorite.  I hope I'm not breaking any trademark rule by sharing here. I did look for online images, but couldn't find this exact one to see if it was licensed.  I love a good chalk drawing. 

I am STILL reading Horse by Geraldine Brooks.  I am really enjoying it, but there have just been other priorities, so I am making slow progress.  

Sadly the condo purchase by sister- and brother-in-law didn't work out.  They had no problem working with the seller, but the HOA was just proving very difficult to work with.  I am more than happy that they got out now, as I do not wish red-tape misery on anyone...especially when it could've been a thorn in their side for the entire period of condo ownership.  We are on the hunt for another solution.

This morning I made a menu and grocery order for the next week or so, which I picked up this afternoon.  Tonight I made a double batch of Honey Garlic Chicken & Broccoli in the slow cooker.  The unserved half is now cooling before going into the freezer for another dinner in a couple of weeks.  Man do I appreciate myself when I have home-cooked meals in the freezer ready to heat and serve!

We are enjoying a little break from the record-breaking heat of the summer.  Today's high was only 91°, but was seriously appreciated.  We had sixty-four days this summer that were over 100°, and almost a quarter of those days were over 105°!  I have never liked the extreme Texas heat...and like it less and less as I get older.

Frugal Friday File 2023, September 8 & 15...

 

1.  The grocery bill was a bit higher this week than I was hoping for, but then I remind myself that several meals on the menu are for cook-once-eat-twice batches which stretches the cost and effort over a longer period.

2.  I received notice that the vendor's outgoing shipment of an order I placed was delayed.  Since I was having buyers remorse on several items, I was extremely happy to see that I would be able to go in and cancel those items saving a tidy $50.  Lucked out there!

3.  Attended my quilting group at the library.  I didn't take my sewing machine; I worked on a crewel project that had been started previously that may be a Christmas gift if I can complete it by then.  I am passing on the fall quilt retreat this year, and also on the bus trip to the Houston International Quilt Show.  Foregoing those two trips alone save me about $200, not to mention what I might spend if I went and shopped at the HIQS.

4.  I threw together a batch of Baked Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal this morning.  After it cooled, I packaged in individual servings, and put them in the freezer for breakfasts as wanted.

5.  I received another check from Medicare to reimburse me for chiropractic care paid out of pocket.  This one was for over $80.  

On the menu this week(s):

Saturday:  Carey had a sandwich, I was out of town

Sunday:  takeout pizza

Monday:  Green Salsa Chicken, rice, beans

Tuesday:  Meatloaf & twice-baked potatoes (from freezer)

Wednesday:  Carey had baseball park $1 dog; I had leftovers

Thursday:  dinner out - sushi!

Friday:  supper at Kasey & Beau's

Saturday:  Pork Chops & Squash Casserole (from freezer) + vegetable

Sunday:  takeout sandwich/pizza

Monday:  Quiche (fridge vegetable clean out)

Tuesday:  dinner out

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken w/ Broccoli

Thursday:  Taco Salad

Friday:  Pork Chops, Potatoes Au Gratin, Fresh (and garlic-y) Green Beans

Frugal Friday File 2023, Sept 1...

 

1.  We've been talking about getting an apartment near my mother-in-law so that we can be more available.  She's 93 and in an assisted living facility about six hours away from us.  We would all like to see more of each other, and Carey and I would like to be on hand so that his sister and brother-in-law, who live in the same town as m-i-l and have been carrying the entire load for a long time, can have more flexibility to see their kids, travel, and/or just have time for themselves.

     We aren't ready to sell our current home, as we still want to be near our kids and grandkids as well.  So we've been trying to figure out how to do something affordable.  

     One evening this week Carey's sister & b-i-l were walking in their neighborhood, which they had just moved into after downsizing.  During the walk, they ran into an older couple who own a condo a block or so from them which was on the market.  Within 24 hours sister & b-i-l had seen the condo, talked about it, prayed about it, put in an offer, and had the offer accepted.  They should close in mid October.

     My amazing s-i-l and b-i-l are buying a condo near them so that we can stay for extended periods, during which we will make a contribution toward the new property which will be more affordable than a completely independent rental, and way, WAY more frugal than the gas, hotel, and meals out that we spend on each trip.  They also made sure that it was dog friendly, so we can have Rudy with us.  When we are not staying in the condo, they will make it available to other siblings (on both her side and his) and to their children during visits.

     This is blowing my mind.  It may seem crazy to go into something like this when Carey's mom is 93.  Her family has amazing longevity.  The older she gets, the more precious the time we get to spend with her.

2.  Again I've done well on cooking at home all week.  Not sure what we are having tonight.  I boned the leftover chicken from Wednesday, and I know I have celery, green onions, and dried cranberries, so I may make chicken salad.  That would be cool and quick, and it sounds really yummy.  

It WAS really yummy!

3.  I had a medical test last week...zero out of pocket...YAY!  Turns out that my port, which is eleven years old, needs to be replaced.  I'm not scheduling the surgery yet.  I've relayed questions and answers with my hematologist, but I have an annual check up with my primary care physician next week, and want to discuss it with her as well.  So I'm kicking the can down the road a little.

4.  Also had an off-schedule appointment with the optometrist.  My right eye has been blurry off and on, and feels like there is something in it.  She has amazing technology equipment, so she could point out exactly what she was seeing to me.  Apparently it is two unrelated issues.  She thinks the feeling of something in my eye is from the incredibly dry weather (drought) we have been having, so she gave me an eye drop sample.  The blurry vision is due to a new floater, which is quite large and located near the center of my eye.  As it floats around, I can see it which registers as blur.  What is frugal about this?  The issue fell under a medical exam rather than a vision exam, so Medicare covered...zero due.

5.  Carey's birthday was this week.  It was a big one.  He almost always prefers home cooking to going out, so we stayed in, and I baked him his favorite Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie for which I had all the ingredients.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  leftovers

Sunday:  supper with Kasey & Beau

Monday:  turnips & greens with bacon, and cornbread

Tuesday:  Fried Rice

Wednesday:  No-Peek Chicken

Thursday:  homemade hamburgers w sweet potato fries

Friday:  Chicken Salad Sandwiches w/ chips

BONUS:  I used dark meat chicken, celery, spring (green) onions, sweet pickle, dried cranberries, tarragon seed, and mayonnaise in my chicken salad.  

BONUS QUESTION: What do YOU put in YOUR chicken salad?