Reading Challenge - Book 4 finished...

This is the one I chose for free from Amazon First Reads.  I like a good time travel, and this was a little of that.  Parts of it I really liked, and parts dragged a bit.

2025 Frugal Friday File, January 10...

1.  Monday was quilting at the library day.  Two of our members created a group activity based on the cooking show Chopped.  They assembled brown paper sacks containing a collection of color coordinated scraps (each bag different prints and colors), embellishment, and batting.  We each chose a paper bag and had an hour and a half to complete a project of our own choice and design using at least some of each item that was in the bag.  All the bags were stapled closed, so we truly had no idea what we were getting.

My sack held all red, white, and blue scraps.  I made a miniature quilt (slightly larger than a hot pad).  It was not my best work.  But it was fun!  :)  And it was frugal, because everything (fabric, embellishments, and batting) was donated by the two ladies (who planned the activity) from their scrap collections.  The use of the library meeting room is free.  Such a fun group.  

After I got home, Caitlyn dropped by, saw the 'hot pad,' thought it was cute, and took it home with her.

2.  Before I left the library, I remembered to pick up a book I had on reserve.  Saved a trip.

3.  One-skillet meal on Wednesday from items on hand that needed using.  Sausage from freezer, head of cabbage from over purchase, apples from fridge, at the last minute I saw the half jar of leftover Alfredo Sauce in fridge from Monday's supper, and decided to add it so it wouldn't go to waste.  It actually wasn't bad.

4.  Still haven't gotten a hair cut...but it's gotta be soon!

5.  Amazon First Reads has been hit or miss for me lately...mostly miss.  This month had a pre-release book that sounded interesting.  I'm reading it now.  First Reads are a selection of books each month that haven't released yet, from which Prime members can select one for free.  I think the hope is that early readers will leave customer reviews.  

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Chicken & White Bean Chili

Sunday:  Family Sunday Supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Chicken fingers, Pasta Alfredo, Garlic Green Beans

Tuesday:  Schlotzky's sandwiches

Wednesday:  Sausage, Cabbage & Apples Skillet Dinner, Cranberry sauce

Thursday:  Carey had leftovers, I had late lunch so skipped

Friday:  Beef Stew and Cornbread

Reading Challenge - Book 3 finished...

 

I started this one before #2, but just finished it tonight.  Really liking this series so far.

Reading Challenge - Book 2 finished...

 

I reserved this one at our library, and picked it up after quilting there this morning.  Of course, I have read Shirley Jackson's story before (it always gives me the willies), but wanted to 'challenge' myself by adding a graphic novel to my reading list for the year (thanks for the suggestion, Juhli).  This authorized adaptation is by Miles Hyman, who is the grandson of original author Shirley Jackson.

His art is beautiful, and like a setting for a jewel, this gem of a story settles securely into it.  The salient points of the story were condensed down and shared through speech bubbles.

Glad to have read this.

Reading Challenge - Book 1 finished...

 

For some reason this title just spoke to me.  :)

2025 Frugal Friday File, January 3...

1.  After a full year of letting our credit card's cash-back accrue (5% on store-brand groceries, and 1.5% on everything else), I have transferred to our bank account a tidy $281.97.  We only use this particular card for groceries and meals out, and we pay the full balance off each month.

2.  I made a week's menu and grocery order.

3.  I made a batch of homemade Rudy food.

4.  I read.

5.  Jared was off today, so he and Carey went out for brunch at IHOP.  Carey had received a coupon for 20% off of a visit.  They really like IHOP, and it is a rare treat that they get to go out for a meal together.  Though I was invited, I wasn't in the mood for anything I could think of on  IHOP's menu.  Lunch out, even when it's 20% off, is still money out of pocket.  I enjoyed the Toasted Cheddar Jalapeno Bagel topped with Mashed Avocado that I made at home so much more.  And I can enjoy another one tomorrow.  :)

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Out for Tex-Mex

Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Dublin Coddle

Tuesday:  New Year's dinner at Kasey & Beau's

Wednesday:  takeout burgers

Thursday:  Spanish Rice

Friday:  leftover Spanish Rice, 1/2 bagel w/ avocado, grape tomatoes

**designates meatless meal

Bucket List of Hopes for 2025...

 

  1.  Stop wasting so much time on my phone playing games.  On 12/31/2024, I deleted all games on my phone except for four New York Times puzzles (Strands, Connections, Wordle, and Weaver) that I play once each per day.  If I want to play Sudoku, my plan is to use puzzles in book form.  If I want to do a jigsaw puzzle, I have a number of new, unopened ones on the shelf.  

The time freed up should help me accomplish more of the following goals:

  2.  Bake bread at least once a month.

  3.  Finish two quilts.

  4.  Complete The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge with e-books already on my Kindle and library and/or free books.  I won't say that I won't buy any books this year, but if I do it won't count toward the challenge.

  5.  Complete the Storyworth project and have it printed by Mother's Day.  Kasey gave me a one-year subscription for it awhile back, and I have since had to renew the subscription so as not to lose completed entries (which is not enough to justify printing).

  6.  Start volunteering.

  7.  Find a new reflexologist.

  8.  Relearn Canasta.  Carey and I used to play all the time, but have forgotten how.  We so frequently lament that there is 'nothing on tv worth watching,' so instead, why not play a game of cards to spend time together.

  9.  Get my Singer Featherweight up and running and in use.

10.  Make some progress on our family trees.

11.  Check out our local farmers market.

12.  Send 52 letters in 52 weeks.

This is a longer list than last year's, because:

    a.  last year's shorter list wasn't very challenging,

    b.  some of these do not require much sustained time over the year, and

    c.  these are all things that I continue to tell myself, "You really should..."