How I did with 2024 Goals...

Goal 1.  Eat meatless twice a month.

    Didn't make the twice a month goal every month...but we ate meatless more than we had at anytime previously.

Goal 2.  Stop buying "baby" carrots.

    Complete success!

Goal 3.  Find a volunteer opportunity.

    I found it difficult to schedule volunteer days with my kind of erratic on-call schedule of work.  However, as of today (12/31/2024), I am fully retired, so will be trying for volunteering again.

Goal 4.  Send 52 letters in 52 weeks.  

   I did not do well at keeping track this year, but I'm pretty sure I met this goal.  And I got some nice phone calls thanking me for the notes I sent.

Goal 5.  Read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and perhaps work on the daily journaling.  

    Gave it a try, but it really wasn't for me.  Fail.

Goal 6.  Visit at least one friend I haven't seen in years.  

    This was a huge success!  We had a great visit, and I managed flights and airports quite well.

2024 Reading Results...

Here's is my 2024 Goodreads Bookshelf.  I averaged one book per week.  A couple were pretty awful.  Most were pleasant to pass the time with.  Quite a few were standouts, as I rated 17 of this year's reads a 9 out of a possible 10, which for me is about the best I ever rate books.  I only rate books a 10 out of 10 if I love them so much I want to read them again in the future.  I did rate one 10/10 this year, because I know I will read it again, both for the short essays and for the charming illustrations.

If you would like to read a short description and see the ratings of each book I read, you can visit my Reading List, which is linked under the title photo at the top of the blog.

My ultimate favorite this year was The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See.  Ms. See is a favorite author of mine, and I learned so much from reading this one; about China, about customs of remote village people, about tea...farming, harvesting, curing, and trade...and about the relationships of mothers and daughters in a changing world.

Next year I will be participating in The 52 Book Club 2025 Reading Challenge.  Their prompt list is interesting, and I have been working to fill as many as possible of the categories with books already on my Kindle which have not yet been read.  My goal has been to whittle down my unread ebooks, and this will go a long way toward accomplishing that.

 

2024 Frugal Friday File, December 27...

 

1.  I worked four days this week.

2.  I finished a book that had been lingering on my Kindle (The Searchers by Alan LeMay, circa 1954).

3.  I purchased really good quality gift ribbons at 70% off right before Christmas.  I had wrapped packages, but not added bows yet.  Then I announced to the family before gift giving that I had tied all bows without knots, so there was no need for cutting.  I asked that they please return ribbon for 'recycling'...on next year's packages!  LOL

4.   I paid the 2025 annual premium for our long-term care insurance, which I had budgeted for monthly and set the money aside to be available for said payment.  Carey used to argue with me about this; he thinks it is too expensive.  He used to say that if we paid the premium monthly it would equal a house payment.  I told him that it is a housing payment...for our futures.  I also told him that there are things that I do not expect him or our children to have to do for me if I am disabled, and he shouldn't expect it either.  He quit arguing with me after that.

I was lucky enough to be able to be offered group long-term care insurance for myself and my spouse without pre-qualifying through a job, and was able to 'take it with me' and pay for it individually after leaving that job.  And if I were to die suddenly and never get the benefit of the policy, I would still count myself blessed to not have worried all these years about being as much of a burden to my children.

5.  I didn't buy any eggs at Costco, or any charcuterie meats at Costco or Sam's where those items are apparently being recalled.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  leftovers

Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Schlotzky's sandwiches

Tuesday:  homecooked frozen meal Chicken A La King

Wednesday:  Christmas dinner at Kasey & Beau's

Thursday:  frozen pot pies

Friday:  homecooked frozen meal Mac & Cheese and Ham, veg

**designates meatless meal

2024 Frugal Friday File, December 20...

 

1.  Frugal Fail:  I am starting to freak out.  I went to the city today looking for a particular item.  Couldn't find it...rechecked the website...available for online order only.  So, of course, I did the only thing I could do under the circumstances.  I impulse shopped.  Found fabric for two baby quilts.  Do I have a baby needing a quilt?  Not yet, but with one grandson engaged, I figured it couldn't hurt to get started.  Plus I was watching quilting videos on YouTube while working on a gift last night.

2.  Frugal Fail:  Came home and ordered the particular item from Amazon making sure I ordered the one that had one-day shipping.  After I clicked "Place Order" it said it would be here in two days.  Oh well, I'm not gonna fret, it was only part of a gift and can be given later.  With my luck it will get caught up in the picket line anyway.

3.  Frugal Fail:  Ate out once and ordered in once this week.

4.  Frugally questionable:  I am having some nerve issue with my neck affecting my left hand.  I've had success with chiropractic care for this type of thing in the past, so I am on a plan to have treatment regularly for the next couple of months.  Could be frugal if I can avoid surgery.  

It is affecting my Christmas crafting and my typing.  I can't tell you how many times I have mis-typed in this post and had to correct.  My ring finger and pinkie are tingling, and weakness in grip.

5.  Frugal wins?  Working next week.  Still no haircut.  Needed 2 pizza boxes for a Christmas present...local Domino's gave me two unused boxes free of charge.  I made a decorative surround for the base of the Christmas tree by recycling an Amazon shipping box and some gift wrap; bonus...it will fold flat to store and reuse next year.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  ???

Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  carry-out fried chicken

Tuesday:  out to our favorite Tex-Mex

Wednesday:  Chicken Curry w/ Rice

Thursday:  leftovers

Friday:  leftovers

2024 Frugal Friday File, December 13...

 

1.  The Christmas tree is still in excellent shape, and in working order.  I finished decorating it  with much-loved decorations; no purchases necessary.

2.  I've made our Christmas cards from supplies on hand.  I spent today finishing them up.  Even had enough envelopes. They will go out in tomorrow's mail.

3.  We had a car accident this week.  Carey was driving, and apparently we were in the blind spot of the driver on our left.  That driver began pulling into our lane and there was a minor collision and we were forced off the road.

    All things considered, this made the frugal list because it wasn't as bad as it could have been.  Nobody is hurt, and the car is still drivable (after purchasing a new rear passenger-side tire).  Carey has gone over it with a fine-toothed comb, and he's sure there is nothing more than a tiny bit of cosmetic damage, which we can live with as the car is ten years old.

4.  I washed my makeup brushes this week.  They have lasted forever, and are still in great shape.  

5.  I'm not sure when I had my last haircut.  

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Ham, Squash Casserole, Green Beans

Sunday:  Sunday Family Supper @ Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Lunch out, skipped supper

Tuesday:  Pasta w/ Shrimp

Wednesday:  out for burgers

Thursday:  15 Bean Soup w/ Cornbread

Friday:  Omelettes

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne

In general, I have not enjoyed very many memoirs that authors produce about their own families, even when I have loved their other works.  

This one is a pleasant surprise for me.  Mr. Dunne's writing style is very entertaining and is very well done.

I was wondering why, with my past experiences, I put this on reserve at the library.  I believe I had watched the documentary on Joan Didion (Mr. Dunne's aunt, and he directed the documentary), and I enjoyed it.  So if that is the reason, then I feel pretty safe recommending both the book and the documentary.

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the book.

 

2024 Frugal Friday File, November 29...

1.  Worked three days this week.

2.  Though I have made some Amazon purchases lately, they've not been impulse purchases because of Black Friday pricing.  I've bought some Christmas gifts.  I've bought a craft supply to make Christmas gifts that I couldn't find elsewhere. 

I did notice that the printer I bought earlier in the year was 40% off for Black Friday, so I sent its link to a friend who needs a printer and had discussed mine's capabilities with me several times.  Didn't save myself any money, but I am happy to help a friend save some.

3.  Bought T-shirts at Goodwill.  Made sure all the tags were the color of the day to get them for half price.  Will use them to make T-shirt yarn to make a Christmas gift.

4.  The end of fall semester is almost over, and the girls will be home from school.  They have contacted their former place of employment about working during the holiday, but weren't able to get on the schedule.  Hopefully I can hire them to help me get some tasks done around the house where young muscle will get needed things done.

5.  The only thing Kasey asked me to contribute to the Thanksgiving feast was a Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie for which I had all the ingredients on hand.  

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  C: leftovers, me: skipped supper

Sunday:  out for Chinese food

Monday:  homemade pizza

Tuesday:  leftovers

Wednesday:  pot pies

Thursday:  Thanksgiving feast at Kasey and Beau's

Friday:  Ham or turkey, Macaroni & Cheese, veg

The monster in the machine...

Blogger will not upload my photo.

That is a problem for another day. 

I 'think' the email issue is figured out.  I have lost count of how many techs I have spoken to.  The last one spent at least an hour trying to figure it out.  He said that my email was working fine, but that it was a problem with Google.  I had tried to relog into Google, but it insisted on sending a code to my email address on file...you guessed it, that email wouldn't go through to my inbox.  A wicked, WICKED circle of doo-doo.  (Doo-doo is apparently a technical term, as I once had a gastroenterologist use it in response to my question to him about my mother's colonoscopy scans.  I then asked him how many years he attended school to use such big words.  I mean seriously did I look like such a rube that I wouldn't understand if he said fecal matter?)

But I digress.

I finally told the tech at my email service to enter a note on my 'ticket' that customer went into hysterics and asked to please end the call, because her head was exploding as I cunningly let my voice crack with the sound of impending tears.  He was appropriately sympathetic, and did as I asked.

After a short cooling off period, I went back to Google and requested the sign in code be sent to my phone, and miracle of miracles it somehow worked.  It previously had NOT worked because I had to be signed in for my phone to receive new messages also.

Anyway, I am still not sure what I did wrong, or right, or when it will all happen again.  At least maybe I will feel a little better when I enter my new password, because it includes a bad work, and it's not DOO-DOO!

2024 Frugal Friday File, Nov 22...

 

1.  Grocery order this week was made with an eye for the future.  'Tis the season for turkey, and my receipt shows that I paid $2.17 for a 14.5 pound frozen turkey.  It went straight into our freezer to be roasted at a later date, for sandwiches, soups, and casseroles.  Hams were also on special, so splurged on one to go with my homemade mac & cheese, and then more sandwiches and soups.  Large package of boneless beef rib meat was cubed by me, then half went into a slow cooker beef stew, and the other half was vacuum sealed and put in freezer for another stew later.

    This week's grocery order total was way higher than usual, but the proteins purchased will stretch much further than just one week of meals.  The high total also included the purchase of mixed nuts and other snack items which made a big batch of trail mix, which I packaged into grab-and-go individual servings.  We frequently skip lunch, and just grab a high protein snack instead.

2.  Using the same holiday decorations collected over a lifetime.  Will make an attempt (again) to  downsize the collection by donating some.  

3.  The trip was an inexpensive one aside from transportation (which was budgeted and paid for months ago).  We entertained ourselves with our craft supplies (I took my own with me), and talking.    My friend doesn't claim to be a good cook, but she IS.  The first night I was there she made a delicious meatloaf dinner, and since meatloaf sandwiches are one of my favorite things ever (and I discovered they are one of hers as well), we ate those on other days, along with crackers and cheese, pumpkin scones, and other treats I know I'm forgetting.  She made some shrimp tacos one evening when her family came over; SO good.  I have already made those for Carey since I've been home.

4.  We dropped off our recycling, and got our DQ treat.  Rudy loves recycling trips and treats!  Fun for the whole family, and cheap as "dates" go.  :)

5.  I'm having a challenge with my e-mail.  Almost nothing is coming into my inbox.  I've called our provider each of the past two days.  I've done what they suggested.  It is still not accepting most e-mails.  Very frustrating.  I've had the same email account for 25 years, and am not excited about having to change.  Is this frugal?  Meh.  Not really, but it was on my mind.  And if anyone leaves a comment, I won't get an email reminder to publish the comment.  :(

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Homecooked meal from freezer

Sunday:  Family Supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  me: Hot & Sour Soup, C: pot pie

Tuesday:  Shrimp Tacos

Wednesday:  Honey Roasted Veg & Sausage sheet-pan meal

Thursday:  Beef Stew and Cornbread

Friday:  leftovers

**designates meatless meal

A lovely visit and back home...

 

I was gone last week to visit my friend Debbie.  We laughed, and made cards, and laughed, and ate, and laughed.  I was able to attend a book group with her, and also tour the inside of their beautiful Orthodox Church.  

The photo above is of me and her cat...talk about a balancing act!  I bent over to get some stamp supplies out of my case, and he jumped up on my shoulders.  :)  I would have shown a photo of Debbie and I together, but since I didn't ask permission, I figured I'd stick with the cat.

We worked on Christmas cards.  I made five or so prototypes, but haven't settled on one that I will mass produce to send out.  Debbie is aiming to make one hundred cards to mail out!  I will be making well less than that (if I get them done at all).  I've got to decide and get busy, as I want to mail them the end of November.

I made my menu for the week, and ordered and picked up my groceries.  The tab was high, but there are planned overs included into the menu plan, so will restock the freezer with homecooked meals.   My order included a turkey since they were on sale; it is in the freezer to use later.  I also bought a large package of beef boneless shoulder ribs, which I cubed for stew meat.  I put half into the crock pot with vegetables, and at six o'clock tonight I will be thanking myself for the supper already being done.  The other half of the cubed meat I vacuum sealed and put in the freezer for another future meal.

The girls will be home this weekend, and we will be making pizza together.  They are both good cooks, but haven't tried their hand at pizza dough yet, so I thought I'd share the quick and easy method I've been using for awhile now.

I put up the Christmas tree on Tuesday.  I don't like to do it before Thanksgiving, but with Thanksgiving late this year, and me having to work all of Thanksgiving week, I wanted to get it done.  I haven't added the ornaments yet, but hoping to later today.  I have presents to wrap and get under it too.

So that's what I've been doing.  How 'bout you?

What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt

This one is an ebook checked out from the library.  I've been reading it for awhile, I'm maybe a little less than halfway through.  Been busy.  Good thing it's on my super old Kindle Keyboard on which I can turn off the Wifi...my library books get returned from my Amazon account, but they stay on the Kindle Keyboard till I turn Wifi back on.

2024 Frugal Friday File, November 8...

 

1.  Back when I was cleaning out the garage, I loosened my purse strings to pay for a month of Audible, so I could listen to a book while working in the heat.  I immediately cancelled the subscription when its purpose had been completed.  Since then they have been sending me "special" offers, which were not special enough to get me to subscribe again.  But the night before I left for retreat, my email inbox had an offer of 99¢ a month for three months along with 1 free book credit per each of those months.  So $3 for 3 months and 3 free books.  Yeah, I can spring for that!

2.  I paid right at $300 for 3 1/2 days and 4 nights at the quilt retreat.  It was very reasonable for what we received.  Each full day that we were there, we received a continental breakfast, and lunch, dinner, and desserts cooked on site.  The rooms were shared; I was in a room for 3, but only 2 of us were in there.  My roommate is one of my favorite people, and it was like a long slumber party with lots of laughs, and someone to share the nervous energy during the election returns.  The meals were very good, and all we had to do was come to the table when we were called.  That meant we had as much uninterrupted sewing time as we wanted.

The retreat also arranged for a car detailer and a massage therapist to come in for those who booked and paid separately.  And there was a wine tasting by an independent winery who came to the retreat.  I did not book any of the extras while I was there, but thought it was awesome that they were available for those who chose to.

We've already reserved dates for next November.

3.  I worked on UFOs (UnFinished Objects), so no new fabric was purchased.  I thought I might have to buy fabric to add binding to the table runner I took (it was finished ages ago, except for the binding).  I had picked up a small scrap as I was packing of what I hoped to use, but wasn't sure it would be enough.  It was enough, barely, so crisis averted.  

4.  Carey was able to feed himself from the homecooked freezer meals in the freezer while I was away.  He had two smallish servings of Dublin Coddle thawing in the fridge when I got home.  Thursday I made a fresh batch of cornbread to stretch the meal for two.

5.  I finished (and thoroughly enjoyed) my library book shortly after getting home.

What I'm reading Wednesday...

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie:

A Flavia de Luce Novel

by Alan Bradley

This is one I picked up from the library a couple of days ago.  It's the first in this mystery series, and I put it on reserve after seeing the series in Juhli's post about her book store wish list recently.  It is a hoot.  A mystery whose main character and sleuth is a precocious eleven years old who is a chemistry whiz.

I'm scheduling this post on Friday night (for posting on Wednesday) and I'm only about 1/4 of the way into it.  I'm not sure if I will have much time to read while I'm away at the quilt retreat, so finishing it is up in the air at this point.

Since I cancelled my Audible subscription after the first month (and my garage clean out), the company has been emailing me 'special' deals.  Today (Friday 11/1) they sent one I was totally on board with.  

In case there is election talk at the retreat that I want to tune out, I have charged my ear buds and downloaded this Audible book:  

Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth

I believe it is about a megastar author who is behind getting her next book finished, and is hiding the fact that she is starting to suffer the onset of dementia.  She enlists the help of a superfan of her previous work to keep her on point with past story details.

Quilting by hand is something that doesn't take a lot of concentration for the most part, so there is nothing I love more than being read to while I do it!

Those are my books for this week.  I'm not sure how much time I will have to spend with either of them until I get home, but surely some, even if it's only in the car.  The Audible way...I don't read while I'm driving!  :)

2024 Fall Quilt Retreat, part 1...

This is a photo of the quilt I worked on at our 2021 Fall Quilt Retreat.  I haven't attended since then due to the retreat logistics, work, etc.

But, it is that time of year again, and I'm retired now (for the most part), so off I go!  Our fearless quilt-group leader has scouted out a new retreat that is all on one level, so no pesky stairs to maneuver.  Yay!

What am I taking to work on this year?  You're lookin' at it!  I will take this again, and may work on it only.  Someday I will get it finished.  I only promised it to someone 24 years ago!  

This quilt top was made by the grandmother of my bestest childhood friend, and when we attended her 25th anniversary and vow renewal in November of 2000, she took me into a spare bedroom and handed me the top, saying I was the only person she knew who would know anything about finishing it.  

Oh, how I LOOONNNGGGGG for the day I can hand it back to her done, and not have it on my conscience any longer!  On the other hand, I absolutely adore the bow-tie pattern and working on it.  It's very difficult to hand quilt at home, because I don't want Rudy under my feet and laying on the corners, etc.

I'll be back in a few days...hopefully with some progress to show! 

2024 Frugal Friday File, Nov 1...

1.  I worked a full day.  It was my last day working at my old full-time branch, as I have given notice that I am not accepting any more days this year, and not working at all after the first of the year.  I still have two weeks worth of work at another branch before the end of the year, but no more at my much-loved home branch.

2.  We live on a street that has no trick-or-treaters, so I skipped buying candy.  I got a ton of chocolate for my birthday, so we are about candied out here.

3.  Cue the lone bugler playing taps.  My magic ice maker died this week.  It gave me 8 wonderful years.  ;)  Some may call it nugget ice, or Sonic ice, or chewable ice, but I call it magic ice, and my husband told me to get another one.  (He doesn't even use ice, but he spoils me.)  Even our refrigerator's ice maker has stopped working, so we had to do something.  I was shopping online for another one, and couldn't decide whether to get the same brand or risk a cheaper version.  

Then I got a Costco add in my email, and the exact brand and model was $150 off this week.  I tried to log online, but my membership had lapsed so I couldn't see member prices.  I called Kasey, and she logged on, and ordered it for me.  Yes, it is expensive.  But hey, it was priced less than Amazon, and I didn't have to renew my membership.  I also asked her to pick up some gallon-sized Ziplock bags for me next time she goes to do an actual shop there.

Since we bank at the same bank, I was able to immediately (and with ease) transfer money for the icemaker from my bank account to hers for free.

4.  I made thank you cards and mailed to granddaughters to express my great joy at being able to share their first voting experience.  Then today I received a very sweet text from my oldest grandson thanking me for the Halloween card I mailed to him and his partner last week.  He received it today, and said it was a nice pick-me-up after a long work day to find happy mail in the mailbox.  His text made my day.

5.  I've been reloading the freezer with homecooked single-serving meals from leftovers.  Since I'll be away from home for about ten days total this month, it's nice to have meals ready for Carey.  He doesn't cook, and he doesn't much like eating out.  

He has long told me that if I die before he does, he will be one of those spouses that dies soon after.  I tell him, of course he will, because he will starve to death!

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  pot pies

Sunday:  Jambalaya

Monday:  Chicken Pot Pie Soup (new recipe I won't make again)

Tuesday:  Carey had leftovers, I skipped supper 

Wednesday:  Dublin Coddle

Thursday:  pot pies (I know, we've been eating these a lot lately)

Friday:  went out for Chinese

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall

I'm about 3/4 done with this one.  Cannot put it down.  I should be thinking about what to pack (if not packing!) what I'm going to take to the quilt retreat, but I can't.  

If you read and liked The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, or its sequel by the same author, The Book Woman's Daughter, I guarantee you will like this one too!

 

2024 Frugal Friday File, October 25...

 

1.  I put the brakes on starting my What I'm Reading Wednesday book when two library books became available.  I'll read them first, and then get to the other when I can...or else it will be one of my 14 selections for my 2025 reading challenge to read 14 books from my Kindle within 2025.

2.  Made birthday card for one grandson, and Halloween cards for all grandkids.

3.  November will be busy, busy month for me with a quilt retreat and a short trip.  These are my equivalent of Carey's baseball trip this past summer.  We won't get a joint vacation this year, but this way we will at least both get to do something we love within budget.  And taking separate vacations leaves one of us at home at a time to care of Rudy.

4.  Yesterday was my birthday, and tomorrow is Diego's birthday, so we are having a combined celebration dinner tonight at Kasey & Beau's

5.  Girls are picking me up in a few to go vote!

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  takeout

Sunday:  family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Chicken Burrito Bowls

Tuesday:  Lentil Soup w/ Cornbread

Wednesday:  Meatloaf/Baked Potatoes/Broccoli

Thursday:  takeout for my birthday

Friday:  family supper at Kasey & Beau's

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

The Village Healer's Book of Cures 

by Jennifer Sherman Roberts

Went through my backlog of Kindle book and picked this one.  I'll start it later tonight.

2024 Frugal Friday File, October 18...

 

1.  On Saturday I made my Easy Enchiladas Casserole using up the chili left over from Thursday.  I love planned overs, and it is frugal of budget and the cook's energy to make something 'new' from work you put in previously.  Basically I layer corn tortillas, chili, and grated cheese until I run out of tortillas and chili.  I have never had success rolling up enchiladas, so I finally gave myself permission to just layer the darn things.  It used up the leftover chili, and made a couple of individual meals to put in the freezer.  

2.  Free vaccines...one of the benefits of being this old?  

3.  Monday I paid the electric bill.  It was about $90 less than last month's bill since we've been having some lower temperatures (finally!)  Tuesday we had an area-wide power outage at 4:30 pm, with a repair estimate of over 2 hours.  Carey didn't want to wait the two hours, and then wait for me to cook IF it even came back on as estimated.  So we drove 6 miles to see if anything 'in town'  had power, but no, so we drove to the city for a meal.  There went a big chunk of the savings on last month's bill.  :(

4.  Anybody else play the New York Times games?  Granddaughter introduced me to Wordle two or three years ago (maybe four?).  Then Carey and I started playing Weaver as well.  Then granddaughter said I had to try Connections.  And the other granddaughter wanted me to play Strands.  Carey sticks to just the first two.  Me?  I stay up until midnight to do all four of the new day's puzzles.  Just the free versions.

5.  I'm on my fourth library book in as many weeks.  Still wanting to read down my Kindle books...soooo many.  I have a blog friend from way back that now is a YouTube vlogger ( youtube.com/@CarolineMrsM ) who said recently that she wasn't going to buy any new books for the rest of the year, just read what she already owns.  I'm not sure I can do that, though as I was thinking about it, I realized that I may not be able to get through the ones I already own in my lifetime.  

So for my 2025 reading challenge, I think I will pick out 14 books on my Kindle to read in the coming year.  I did this quite a few years ago with physical books from my shelves, in fact, the photo at the top of my Reading List page (link found under the photo at top of the blog home page) is of the 14 books I selected to read that year.  It was very helpful, and I was able to accomplish the goal, and then I donated all the books to our library.  You may ask why 14...because it allows a book-per-month goal, so 12, plus allows 2 alternatives in case you find yourself really disliking and not finishing any of the monthly reads.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Easy Enchilada Casserole, sliced avocado

Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Mexican Cornbread casserole

Tuesday:  meal out due to power outage

Wednesday:  Homemade Pizza

Thursday:  pot pies

Friday:  Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes w/ Brisket 

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

This one was a new acquisition by our library.  It is not a new book; it says that it is back in print for the first time since 1997...it could be that the English translation is new, I'm not sure.

 I finished it over the weekend, and I rate it 9/10.  I loved the voice of the narrator, which I suppose is really the style of the writing.  For me it was reminiscent of The Diary of Anne Frank...not the subject (though the guarded groups were somewhat camp-like), but the voice of a young girl presenting day-to-day life of an unthinkable situation in a straight-forward voice. Science fiction, but not excessively so.  Apocalyptic, but not alarmingly so. So very glad this one caught my attention.  

The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy

This is a library ebook, and the loan was about to run out.  I put it on my ancient Kindle Keyboard so I could turn off the wi-fi and keep reading, but I really wanted to get it read as I have another one on which the loan is also about to run out.  

I picked this one up on Monday so I could read while waiting for my vaccines.  After which I came home and went to bed (proactively resting and reading for the rest of the day).  I could not sleep a wink, and at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday I was still reading.  Then I fell asleep for a few hours, and woke up and read some more.  It's not that I found it so riveting, but just that I couldn't sleep.  

The characters kept me reading, but I didn't care for the structure of the book.  I am so, so tired of dual timelines switching from chapter to chapter.  I did like it, but I didn't love it.  I rate it about 7.5/10.  

After Annie by Anna Quindlen

Starting this one.  Not sure how I will get along with it.  I understand that there are different narrators' points of view, and a non-chronological memory timeline.  But on the other hand, it is a topic that pulls at me, so we will see.  I've had a kind of hit-or-miss experience with this author's work, so we shall see.

Is it just me?...

 This has been scratching at my brain for awhile, and today, I just had to ask the question.  Is it just me?  I am really over the style graphic (or should it be graffic since it screams graffiti to me?)

I am seeing this cover style everywhere!  These six were in my inbox just today!  

I don't know, but titles screaming at me don't make me want to read the book.  I have a feeling the publishing industry is letting AI design covers these days.  

Has anyone else noticed this trend?  Am I the only one it is bothering?

Homemade Moist Dog Food Recipe...

Disclaimer:  I am not a scientist or specialist of any kind.  I did online research to determine what is and isn't healthy for dogs, and I ran the ingredients and preparation method past our vet at our last visit to make sure it sounded okay to her.  Doing your own research and using your own best judgement in regard to feeding your pet are advised.

As per my research, I try for a variety of meats, brown rice, and vegetables that provide vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber that support the health of the entire dog...joints and bones, skin, eyes, digestion, immune system, etc.  

Today I did the math.  I actually thought that store-bought canned food might come out less expensive than the homecooked version.  BUT it turned out that one can of the brand we used before is about 50¢ more expensive than an equivalent amount of my homemade; even considering that I buy ingredients like boneless/skinless chicken thighs and frozen chopped vegetables for convenience.  It may not seem worth the trouble to everybody, but for me it is.  Especially since I just put it in the slow cooker and add different ingredients during the cooking time, and I only have to make a batch about once per month to six weeks.  (And especially since the first benefit we observed was no more stinky flatulence!  I can't make any promises that your dog would have the same benefit.) 

If interested in the containers I use, they were purchased through Amazon and are linked here.  This is neither a sponsored link nor an affiliate link.  I just like the size (they thaw in the fridge overnight) and straight sides of these containers (makes them easy to fill and easy to wash).  I also like the screw on lids.

Homemade Moist Dog Food...do not add any seasonings in the making!

Step 1:

Beef Shank bones (our meat department sells these, I use one or two per batch, or use any bones you may have.)

3 or 4 carrots, washed and sliced

6 cups of water (approximately; bones need to be submerged)

Place above ingredients in slow cooker.  Cook on low overnight to make bone broth.  In the morning remove the bones placing any marrow back in the broth in pot.

Step 2:

2 to 3 pounds Chicken Thighs (Boneless/skinless cost more but are much more convenient.  If you use bone in, remove skin before cooking, and remove all bones before shredding meat.)

Place the chicken thighs into the beef broth, and cook on high for about 4 hours or till cooked through.  Remove the chicken and shred it with forks, or pulse in food processor to get a rough chop.  Place the chicken back into the broth.

Step 3:

1/2 of a 16 oz bag of frozen Chopped Broccoli

1/2 of a 16 oz bag of frozen Peas & Carrots

1/2 of a 16 oz bag of frozen Cut Green Beans

1/2 of a 16 oz bag of frozen Whole Cranberries

15 oz can of pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

1 1/2 to 2 cups brown rice

Make sure there is at least 4 cups of liquid in the slow cooker with the chicken.  Place the brown rice and canned pumpkin into the slow cooker and stir to distribute.  Then add about half of each bag of vegetables, and if they are above the level of the liquid, use a spoon to push them into the liquid (they can be a little above the liquid level).  Continue cooking on low for about 4 hours, or at least until rice is tender.  (Reserve unused portions of frozen vegetables and return to freezer for next batch of homemade dog food.)

• When the rice and vegetables are tender, let cool for an hour or so.
• I separate into 12 oz containers, and attach lids.
• I use painter's tape to label lid with dog's name and the date the batch was made, and store in the freezer.
• We remove a container from the freezer a day or so before it will be needed to give it time to thaw in the refrigerator.  Can be placed in microwave for a minute or so if needed to thaw/warm
• We feed a combination of purchased dry food with the homemade food stirred into it.
• Adjust amount used according to dog's size and/or if you use dry kibble with the homemade,  Rudy is a 19 pound Jack Russel terrier, and very active.  We feed him about 1 cup of purchased dry food and about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the homemade moist food daily.  Using in this way and amounts, one batch of homemade food lasts us about 5 weeks.
• I would suggest monitoring your dog for weight increases or decreases and adjust food accordingly.

2024 Frugal Friday File, October 11...

 

1.  Laying low.  Not leaving house much.  Working on a batch of cards for a group I swap with, and they took SO long, and were past their due date.  I just couldn't get them to meet the image I had in my head.  I was going for a kind of mod white tree, with sparkly, pastel-ly decorations.

Needless to say, this card will not be one I will send out to a large group at Christmas, as there is just not that much time before the holiday.  LOL

2.  I cancelled the Audible membership I used while cleaning out the garage.  I can still use it through 10/17, but it will cut off then, and I won't have to worry about it auto-paying for the next month.

3.  Enjoyed library book.  I finished and returned it early so the next person didn't have to wait.  Picked up the next one while I was there.  (Time got aways from me this week, so didn't get a What Are You Reading Wednesday post up.)

4.  Made a menu plan for the week and a grocery order.  I know I put this here almost every week, but it is SUCH an important part of staying within budget, and avoiding hungry trips for takeout.  

Somehow we ended up with an abundance (like a LOT) of eggs in the fridge last week.  We ate a lot of egg-rich meals, and even this week used them for supper one night and in tuna salad another.  I tried to make deviled eggs, but got the filling too runny, so I just added the chopped up egg whites and the overly-moist filling into tuna salad.  Doesn't sound great, but it wasn't half bad.

5.  Playing with an idea plan for a low-budget mini makeover in the guest room.

6(ish).  Not really mine, but worth a mention.  My sister just adopted a shelter dog today.  She made the decision a day or two ago, but they couldn't release him until he had been neutered.  So when she picked him up today, they told her he had been licking his incision, and would need a cone.  She stopped on the way home at PetSmart and got one.  Once they were home, sis realized that she had not see him licking at all, so she doubted he would need the cone.  I asked her if it cost enough to make it worth the trip to return it.  She couldn't remember what it cost, but while we were talking, she looked for and found the receipt.  $21!  She will definitely be returning.

On the menu this week:

**Saturday:  Potato/Broccoli/Cheese soup

Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Scrambled eggs w/ smoked sausage

Tuesday:  Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Wednesday:  Chicken a la King

Thursday:  Chili

Friday:  Twice baked stuffed sweet potatoes

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

I was so happy to see my reserve for this one at the library come up.  And I was ready for a change from the seventh century I've been reading for, seemingly, ever!  

This one was a delight.  Humorous without being too silly; sweet without being too saccharine.  I picked it up Saturday, and finished it Tuesday morning before work.  

Marilla of Green of Gables by Sarah McCoy

I started this one last night.  I have loved the time I've spent in Green Gables, and always wanted more back story on the Cuthberts.  Looking forward to this imagining and hope it is one I can get into.

2024 Frugal Friday File, Sept 27...

1.  Made a menu for the week and grocery order.

2.  Made another batch of homemade dog food for Rudy, and I had all the ingredients in the pantry and freezer, so no outlay this time.

3.  Reserved two library books from the list of their recent acquisitions.  I've had my eye on both of these, so was happy to get on the list early.

4.  Carey got home from a baseball road trip with his sister and brother-in-law.  (You may have wondered why I was cleaning out the garage without his help.  I like to do these clean-out projects on my own when he's not around, so was happy he had this trip coming up.  And it was a surprise for him when he got home.)  They had a great time, and attended games in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago.  They split the gasoline, game tickets, meals, etc. three ways.  Sis and b-i-l have a new hybrid car that they wanted to take on the road, so mileage was not horrible.

5.  Worked two days.  Money in.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Takeout 

Sunday:  Takeout

Monday:  Fried Rice

Tuesday:  Chicken Burrito Bowls

Wednesday: Pork Chop, Scalloped Potatoes, Squash

Thursday:  leftovers

Friday:  pot pies

**designates meatless meal

What I'm STILL reading Wednesday...

 

Hild by Nicola Griffith

OMG this is taking forever!  I listen to the Audible version, then move back to my Kindle, and trust it to sync.  I read for a looooooong while, then realize that I've already heard what I'm reading.  Which I guess it's okay that I'm re-reading, because obviously listening to Audible version while I'm working meant I was too distracted by the job being done to pay attention.  So I'm plugging along.

Honestly, I'm not loving it, but I'm almost 3/4 through it and hate to stop now.  It has been keeping me company while I'm recovering from the garage clean out.  THAT was incredibly hard on my body.  Sore muscles and joints are slowing me down, and I'm still doing things like laundering found items (some to keep and some to donate) and finding homes for things that I want to use in the house.   Working also for a paycheck on Th/Fr and then Mo/Tu/Wed.  I will get back to a follow up on the garage results, but, you know, I also have a book to finish.

And did I mention this book is 700+ pages?  Oh, I did?  Well, okay.