Wednesday, April 2, 2025
What I'm reading Wednesday...
Monday, March 31, 2025
First quarter progress...
- + I deleted time wasters from my phone, but put Sudoku back on. I tried using a paper Sudoku book, but found it took me longer to look for it, and find a pencil, and play a game, than to just play one game on my phone. And I do keep it to just one game. In times of stress, I have added solitaire, but then uninstall again when I feel calmer.
- + I've baked bread twice.
- - No quilts finished yet.
- + Book challenge already addressed.
- + I've worked on both Storyworth and Ancestry a little.
- + I am volunteering at the library weekly.
- - No Canasta for us yet.
- +/- I've had the Featherweight worked on, but it needs to go to a pro, so I'll take it soon.
- + I've found date/time/location of farmer's market, so hope to go next time they are open.
- - I'm behind on the 52 letters, but will make it up.
Friday, March 28, 2025
2025 Frugal Friday File, March 28...
On the menu this week:
Saturday: Saturday family supper at Kasey & Beau's
Sunday: takeout BBQ baked potatoes
Monday: homemade meal from freezer: Pork chops/Squash Casserole/Broccoli
Tuesday: takeout Schlotzky sandwiches
Wednesday: homemade meal from freezer: Roast/Dumplings/Broccoli
Thursday: Meatballs, Au Gratin Potatoes, Cranberry sauce
Friday: Who knows?
**designates meatless meal
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
What I'm reading Wednesday...
Saturday, March 22, 2025
I am SO FRUSTRATED...
Is anyone else having issues with Google and/or Chrome? It is a never-ending battle every time I use my laptop. I've had updates switch settings before, but I am ready to just toss everything.
I used to have just one Google account, the one that my blog is attached to. When I got a smartphone, I did not want to have my blog and home email attached to my phone gmail account, so I have a separate google account for that. For years it was not a problem.
Now I have to log on to my original (blog) account every single time I turn on my laptop. And it wants to sync all my devices. I am a compartmentalist! I do not want all my devices synced!
It has been a nightmare since this all started. First I couldn't get my home email, and that took forever to figure out. Then I had to keep a link in a word document to get into my blog's post pages to make any changes other than just viewing the blog. Now all of my favorites disappeared from my Chrome home page. I get some of them back, but then they disappear again.
I am BLEEPing PI$$ED!
In trying to find an answer I came across an article about AI issues makes it important to switch from using passwords to using passkeys. Oh, joy! Yet another thing I don't understand. I can't keep up. If you don't hear from me, it means either my head has exploded or I've gone offgrid self-preservation mode.
Friday, March 21, 2025
2025 Frugal Friday File, March 21...
2. The two monsteras that I got last spring are still thriving in our living room. Jared was here recently. We were watching something on tv that showed a monstera, and I said something about the one on tv looking artificial. Jared gave me a funny look, that made me realize he thought mine were artificial. He couldn't believe it when I said they are live plants. I guess he hasn't noticed that they are bigger than they used to be, but still I was tickled that I have kept them so healthy and hardy for a year now.
3. Glad that reading can be a frugal hobby. I've been sticking with my resolve to fill the challenge prompts with books already owned by me or free.
4. I have not shelled out for a new car...yet.
5. FRUGAL FAIL! I caved to the lure of Joanne Fabrics. I just felt the longing for a last visit to say goodbye. The prices were not great, but I knew I would cave to the beauty of the fabrics and not be able to leave it behind. I did spend too much, but if I stretch it over a year, it only works out to $1 a day. ;)
On the menu this week:
Saturday: Saturday family supper at Kasey & Beau's
Sunday: Breakfast for dinner
Monday: Dublin Coddle & Irish Soda Bread
Tuesday: leftovers
Wednesday: takeout burgers
Thursday: frozen pot pies
Friday: Carey leftovers / I skipped supper
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Thanks for the honey-done...
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
What I'm reading Wednesday...
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Belated birthday wishes, Mom...
Friday, March 14, 2025
2025 Frugal Friday File, March 14...
1. I've successfully made it through the Amazon blackout (3/7 - 3/14).
2. Did some thrifting at Goodwill. I bought men's 100% cotton shirts; all but one was XL or XXL, and two were the half-price color tag. Brought them home and laundered them. Next (or eventually) I will remove seams, and store the raw fabric for future quilting projects. I mean Joann Fabrics will be gone...I still haven't gone for the chaotic closing tour.
One of my granddaughters has a phobia of Goodwill (her very first time inside one was at the 'Bins,' and the chaos and the glove requirement freaked her out). Now I keep telling her that I'm going to get her Christmas and birthday gifts from there from now on. She'll never suspect that a Grandma-made quilt (or at least the raw materials [pardon the pun]) could be from Goodwill. :)
While at Goodwill I also picked up a new-in-box set of twelve wide-mouth quart Mason Jars for $9. And another vintage square jar with original lid (about 1/2 gallon size) for $3.
3. I volunteered at the library used book sale section without buying any books.
4. I didn't buy a new car yet.
5. I didn't get a haircut.
In other words I pretty much stayed home and did nothing but read. :)
On the menu this week:
Saturday: Chinese takeout
Sunday: Sunday family supper at Kasey's
Monday: out for Tex-Mex
Tuesday: Roast, Dumplings, Carrots, Broccoli
Wednesday: Homecooked meal from freezer/Ham and homemade Mac&Cheese
Thursday: Breakfast for supper
Friday: late lunch, skipped supper
**designates meatless meal
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
What I'm reading Wednesday...
Friday, March 7, 2025
2025 Frugal Friday File, March 7...
2. I've been feeling kind of iffy this week, so except for a trip to the library and chiropractor, I've been staying home and spending no money.
3. I've avoided checking for possible close-out clearance deals at Joann's.
4. Carey picked up some tomato and pepper plants...fingers crossed!
5. Sadly, Carey has found an issue with our car for which the repair costs would not be smart to invest in a ten-year-old car. He's been doing mechanic work since his teens, went to school for it, did it professionally for awhile, and has taken really good care of all of our cars. So I trust his assessment, and I'm super thankful for all the repair costs he has saved us over the years. Still, I'm less than excited about car shopping.
On the menu this week:
Saturday: Saturday family supper at Kasey & Beau's
Sunday: leftovers
Monday: Meatballs, Scalloped Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce
Tuesday: out to try a new Italian restaurant
Wednesday: Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Thursday: Carey: Twice-baked Sweet Potato, Me: skipped
Friday: leftovers
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Twice-baked Sweet Potato to the rescue...
(This is a very poor photo...apologies.)
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
What I'm reading Wednesday...
Monday, March 3, 2025
It is 4:00 a.m., and I came to say...
Friday, February 28, 2025
2025 Frugal Friday File, February 28...
2. My son-in-law (Beau) phoned me the other day to tell me he was texting me a photo that he wanted to discuss. The photo was of the cuff of his jacket where the Velcro was failing due to design flaw, and he asked if there was a way to save the jacket. He loved that the cuffs could be tightened as needed, but due to the poor hook design of fastener, they did not stay tightened.
I love that he doesn't hesitate to ask my opinion on something I have more experience with than he does. I love that he wants patches/fixes rather than replacing. I love that he is comfortable enough to ask me for a favor. And in this case, I love that it is an easy fix with supplies I have on hand, so I said a quick yes. Now we'll see if we have any more cool temperatures this season. He may or may not get it back in time as I am having a sewing machine malfunction that I need to get figured out first.
3. The dessert I made for Sunday family supper was something that Caitlyn had asked me to make next time she came home from school. Well she came, but she had to head back to school before Sunday family supper. So I made it the night before, and I separately packed serving for her to take with her. Then I texted her a photo with a "Come get this out of my fridge before you leave."
4. I text Kasey things that I know will make her smile. This week a photo of an orange dog toy with a note that I was considering buying one for her dog and mine just for the ten minutes of watching them destroy it. I didn't because I was leery of how it would alter the ads that pop up on my screens. :)
5. And on a separate note, today I am participating in the NO SPEND DAY you may have seen across social media. RESIST!
On the menu this week:
Saturday: Breakfast for dinner
Sunday: Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's
Monday: Enchilada Casserole
Tuesday: **out for Tex-Mex
Wednesday: Twice-baked Sweet Potatoes w/ Brisket
Thursday: Veggie Loaded Fried Rice
Friday: leftovers
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Reading Challenge - Book 7 finished...
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Reading Challenge - Book 6 finished...
Friday, February 21, 2025
2025 Frugal Friday File, February 21...
- 1 cup of starter, 2 cups of water, 3 teaspoons of salt, & 4 cups flour. Mix together, and form loaf.
- Let rise 7 to 9 hours. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes; lower temp to 375° for 15 more minutes.
Three teaspoons of salt seemed like a lot to me, but I thought I would try it as it was written for ease of memorizing. It was too salty...so I think I will change it to 3 half-teaspoons of salt.
In the meantime I have a whole loaf of bread that I don't want to throw away. I cubed up some of it, spritzed it with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic powder...baked it for 5 or 10 minutes...tossed them on baking sheet and continued baking till toasted...croutons! (They added interest to our leftover slaw/kale salad.)
I'm letting the rest of the slices dry out some, then I'll make bread crumbs to put in the freezer for future use where I can cut added salt elsewhere.
2. Staying home. Sounds boring, but with a warm pup snoozing on my lap, a book in my hands, and a log on the fire, it is the loveliest place to be on these cold, damp days we've been having. (I consider them a bonus, as we thought they were over. Happy to have a little more of my favorite days before the thermometer jumps back up to 100°F.)
3. Watching a lot of YouTube videos, for quilting, card making, news replays, almost anything. I have to say, the paid subscription to watch without ads is THE best value I've ever received from a subscription yet!
4. Put another subscription on 'pause' as I haven't used it much lately. May cancel if I don't miss it.
5. I've been enjoying cooking for cold weather. While I was at the library yesterday, I picked up two cookbooks for $1.50 each in our Book Nook area (used books for sale). One is very succinct recipes. Got no time for complicated ones, and I know as the weather warms I will want quick and easy.
I'll copy any recipes I really like, and then I'll re-donate.
On the menu this week:
Saturday: Salad..slaw mix, kale, black beans, chicken, orange, avocado, cilantro dressing
Sunday: Family supper at Kasey & Beau's
Monday: leftovers
Tuesday: leftovers
Wednesday: Tortilla Soup
Thursday: Homemade Chili & store-bought Tamales
Friday: Pork chops, squash casserole, green vegetable
Friday, February 14, 2025
2025 Frugal Friday File, February 14...
1. Made menu on Tuesday for part of this week and next, and picked up grocery order. Came out at less than $150, which I thought was pretty good (compared to the last grocery order anyway).
2. Thursday found me getting creative to use up bits and pieces that have been lingering in the kitchen, so that they wouldn't go to waste. Small bits of different cheeses in the fridge, a partial package of grape tomatoes that had gotten pushed to the back of fridge a week or two ago, but were miraculously not wrinkled or mushy, a spaghetti squash that I've put off cooking due to energy or time constraints. I put some chicken breasts in slow cooker to use for the spaghetti squash tonight, but also to go in a salad and another meal.
I think Four Cheese Spaghetti Squash with Chicken and Roasted Vegetables, sounds a lot classier than the use-it-up-or-toss-it-out ingredients that went into it. :)
3. Since putting the planning into the 2025 Reading Challenge, matching books currently on my Kindle to the challenge's book prompts, I don't believe I've bought a single book, even from the Kindle special-deal emails.
I even remembered to take a book with me when I knew I was going to a business that had a little free library out front, so that if I found something to borrow I'd have something to leave...but I didn't find anything.
I've borrowed a few from the library...just remembered I did buy two used books from the library book nook for $1.50 each. I forgot about those, as I didn't have any cash, so Carey paid for them. :)
4. I window shopped (online) for window coverings. I have an idea for a change in the guest room. It is a very tall window with an arched top. Currently there are only old fashioned, metal Venetian blinds in the non-arched part of the window. They were here when we bought the house. I am not in a hurry, and styles and/or my plans may change before I actually come across what I want at a price I want to pay. It's never been a priority. Still isn't.
5. Last Saturday I was out running errands and purchased some extra heavy weight cardstock for making cards while it was 40% off (about a $7 savings). After the purchase I was running some other errands, and I found myself near an Office Depot. I took the cardstock into Office Depot to inquire if they could cut it in half for me while I waited. I watched her place the entire package into their "industrial" paper cutter, and in one "zip" the entire ream of cardstock was cut into the size I use for card bases. The employee handed me the cardstock, cut to the size I requested, and said there would be no charge for the single cut.
So I saved on the original price of the package of cardstock, the price of having it cut to the size, all of the time it would have taken me to cut each sheet one piece at a time, AND probably half a dozen cutting blades for my paper cutter (as cutting really heavy cardstock dulls blades quicker than lighter papers).
This was my favorite frugality of the week! I'm ready to make cards!
On the menu this week:
Saturday: takeout BBQ baked potatoes
Sunday: Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's
Monday: Sausage, Onion, Kale, and Cheddar Quiche
Tuesday: Salmon, Wild Rice, and Broccoli
Wednesday: leftover quiche
Thursday: Four Cheese Spaghetti Squash with Chicken and Roasted Vegetables
Friday: Italian Meatloaf w/ Smashed Parmesan Potatoes
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
What I'm reading Wednesday...
Friday, February 7, 2025
2025 Frugal Friday File, February 7...
2. Quilted at the library. Selected some fabric already in my 'collection' and figured out a pattern I could improvise to make a baby quilt...or maybe two. No babies on the horizon, but my intent is to have baby quilts ready and waiting, so that when they are needed there will be a selection to choose from.
This is frugal because I had everything I needed without any purchases. We meet at the library, so no rental for the space. No dues for membership.
3. Received two checks to reimburse part of my chiropractic costs. Only fifty-ish dollars total, but every little bit helps.
4. Oops...I lost #4 when I tried to paste something in here. Can't recover it, and I'm too tired to try to start from scratch.
5. Still haven't gone for a haircut.
On the menu this week:
Saturday: leftover spaghetti casserole
Sunday: Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's
Monday: Asian Chicken Slaw
Tuesday: Spanish Rice
Wednesday: leftover Asian Chicken Slaw
Thursday: Breakfast for supper
Friday: out for late lunch / early supper