BZZ report

I was recently selected to participate in a BzzAgent campaign for Truley Awesome Homestyle cookie.

I'm a girl that loves her cookies (any sweet really) but I never found these cookies in the 2 different Krogers that I visited/shopped in.

Recipe review - Pepper-Sausage scramble

Sausage-Pepper scramble
Just Like my grandmother Used to Cook
Readers Digest page 149

Ingrediants
12 ounces smoked sausage or breakfast links
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 medium onion chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 can (14 ½ Oz) low sodium stewed tomatoes
1 tbsp flour
1 cup frozen then thawed sweet corn
2 Tbsp parsley
1 Tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp prepared mustard
½ tsp marjoram leaves
¼ tsp black pepper

Preperation
#1 Heat a skillet over a moderately high heat. Add sausage, green pepper, garlic and onion, cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

#2 drain the tomatoes and reserve the juice. Mix the juice and flour and add that to sausage mix. Now add everything else. Cook over moderate heat until it thickens. Serve over rice.

Serves 3-4

Results: very yummy!!! I did make a goof instead of smoked sausage I wrote down (on the shopping list) and bought breakfast sausage. I bought the Maple syrup flavored sausage thinking it would be a good contrast with the pepper and it was. I also only cooked the sausage not the vegetables. I made this the night before so eat after I came home from work. So everything was in a bowl that got mixed up before I zapped it in the microwave. I think leaving everything to sit over night made a nice mix with the peppers, onions and sausage.

This recipe gets a big old happy face in the cookbook.

How Thankdsgiving went from 2 to 7

the food


The kids in Greg's man cave watching the football game.

This year was going to be our first major holiday alone. Happily it wasn't. We received a call Wednesday night from Greg's son (S)that he, his older brother(J), their nephew (I) and a friend (P) were coming for dinner. So the kids came and joined us for dinner and some games of cards.

#7 was/is our neighbor the bachelor whom we take a dinner plate over for every holiday.

We wwere thankful for the food and for the company.

Blessings, Laura

Joann's shopping fun

This past Sunday between church and work, Patti and I stopped at Joann Fabriv for a quick trip during their sale.
This piece of fabric is intended for the backside of the potholders I am making as Christmas gifts. Fittingly so its name is Stars and Strips.


These two pieces will be a tank top for next summer (the green flower print) and Snoopy will be a sleep shirt.


The patterns wee a very special find. I went over just to look at one for the amount of fabric that I would need, pull it out of the drawer, make my notes and was about to return it to the drawer. Then I saw it, the sign Simplicity patterns (with some exclusions) were 5 for $5. So these two patterns valued at $15.95 each cost me $2.

Very happy shopper who make return before the sale ends for more patterns.

Thank you for reading and blessings, Laura

What's going on in the kitchen today???

Hungarian pepper mustard is what is going on today. I used this recipe and adjusted for the amount of honey I had left.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hot-pepper-mustard/detail.aspx

Now I am going to need a trip to Sam's or Costco to buy a big can of honey. I have more peppers to use.



Blessings and thank you for reading, Laura

Check these out!!!

I found these last night at a meeting. Our group recently had another one join with ours and now that everyone is settled we are going thru the leftover stuff. My Dad was sorting and shouted about a few other things but never said a word about these treasures. When he saw me looking at them he said to help myself - so I did!!!

I took these 6 a friend took another 6 and there are more. When I showed Greg he was "Are there more these are neat." I'll bring home more in a couple weeks.

Blessings and thanks for reading, Laura

My free or nearly free deals this past week

Yes I was able to get to Rite Aid this past week for a couple freebies and a rain check. I got Cloraspectic throat drops free after Ups Reward and Burt's Bee throat drops. I imagine the Burt's Bee drops will be used fairly quickly at work. As a chasier I do quite a bit of talking to guests at the registers and some days my water bottle just does not last long enough. My raincheck is for the Blistek that will also be free after Ups rewards.


Now the other deal I got was very easy. All I had to do was go to work. The store sells Up2you gum for $1.49 and I had $1.00 off one manufacturers coupons plus my employee discount. I got 3 packs for around $1.02 less than the price of 1 pack.

I'll be going to Rite Aid again this week lots of free stuff to refill the medicine cabinet.

Stay tuned and may you and yours be blessed, Laura

Recipe review - Chinese Fried Rice

Chinese Fried Rice
Just Like my Grandma Used to Cook page 217

5 dried mushrooms
¼ cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 large egg, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium-sized onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced diagonally
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups cooked and cold rice

1) In small bowl, cover mushrooms with warm water and let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse well and squeeze to drain thoroughly. Chop mushrooms, discarding the stems. In a separate bowl combine egg, broth, ginger and pepper.

2) In 12 inch skillet or wok heat oil over moderate high heat. Add onion, celery and garlic. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes until almost tender. Add mushrooms and stir fry for 1 minute. Stir in rice. While stirring rice mixture constantly, drizzle egg mixture over rice. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until egg is cooked and rice is heated through, stirring frequently.

Makes 4 main dish servings
To make Pork/chicken fried rice – add 2 cups chopped pork loin or cooked chicken with the rice.

Results – yummy and so easy to make. I cooked the rice the day before to make sure it was cold enough. I did not add the mushrooms.

Recipe review

Mama’s Meatball Sandwiches
Just Like my Grandmother used to cook
Page 124

Ingrediants
For the meatballs
8 ounces lean ground beef
¼ cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon low-fat milk
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
1 large egg white
nonstick cooking spray

Ingredients for sauce:
4 ounces bulk Italian sausage
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped sweet green pepper
1 can (8 oz) low sodium tomato sauce
1 cup low sodium stewed tomatoes, undrained and cut up
1 teaspoon each dried Basil and Oregano leaves
1/8 teaspoon EACH salt and black pepper
4 white French or Italian rolls, each 7 inches long
¼ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1) Meatballs. In medium bowl; mix meatball ingredients (except cooking spray). Form into 16 meatballs.
2) Coat a 1- inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 5 minutes or until browned and turning as necessary. Remove the meatballs and drain off fat.
3) In same skillet, combine sausage, onion and green pepper. Cook over moderate high heat until sausage is cooked through. Drain off fat (what fat? I didn’t have any). Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, and salt and pepper. Return meatballs to skillet.
4) Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes or until meatballs are not pink and the sauce is thickened. Stir occasionally.
5) Preheat the broiler. Cut a thin slice from the top of each rolls and discard. Hollow out the rolls. Spoon the meatballs and sauce mix into the rolls.. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Broil the sandwiches 4 inches from the heat for 1 minute or until the cheeses melt. Makes 4 servings

Prep time 15 minutes. Cooking time 30 minutes

Results: Very easy and a great tasting sandwich. I used a loaf of French bread (trying to save some money) and in future will spend the extra money and either use store bought or make my own rolls. When I formed the meatballs I did not get 16 meatballs – only 7. The extra sauce could also be used either over noodles or added to spaghetti sauce. Personally “discarding” the unused bread just bugs me – I save it and use it in my homemade bread crumbs. The Meatballs were so good that I used the remaining ground beef and sausage to make another batch of meatballs that are in the freezer for a future meal.

Comfort

Sunday as I picked up Little Man in the church nursery he grabbed his blanket. As he cuddled both the blanket and me, I was thinking about comfort. How certain fabrics (like his fleece blanket), objects or people bring you joy, peace and that feeling of contentment.
I personally find comfort under my covers. How the soft weight folds over you, wraps you in nice softness and warmth. Sometimes I hop in bed, cover up and giggle like a school girl. Psst don't tell Greg but I close off the heating vent and make the room nice and cold. What's better than a chilly room to encourage you to cover up with the soft blankets?
How about a cold room to encourage cuddling with the husband? Come on look at these shoulders, take my word for it they are great for falling asleep on for a quick nap.




Or how about cuddling with this?? Look Simba even cuddles when he is sleeping in the warm sunbeam.



Here's to many nights full of love and cuddles.
Thank you for reading and may you and yours be blessed, Laura

On my mind Friday

On my mind is an empty garden. The weather people are calling for the first frost of the season so we emptied the garden. Truly a sad time of year.

Todays post I return to shopping

Honestly until I saw the picture I couldn't remember what I was going to write about today. I took the picture 4 hours ago. Well yesterday I returned to shopping for the good deals. It was hot this summer, I was miserable, bored, no money etc etc etc.

Well winter is coming I have to get more food stocked up in this place. For real its bad enough that I have to get to work in the cold, snow and yuck but shopping is not all that fun. The streets are not plowed well in the park and pulling and pushing the grocery cart is not to easy.

Now I know gum will not keep us from starving during any sort of emergency but if something happens and Greg does not get his cigarettes (I know nasty habit no comments please) hopefully these will keep the nicotine monster at bay.

The Stride gum (the larger 3 pack packages were on clearance at work, plus the clearance sale with an additional 25% off, 3 $1 off 3 packs manufacturer coupons plus my employee discount 18 packs for $5.69

The other gum (I think its U2) was on sale at Rite Aid for 99 cents each. I used 5 $1.00 off 2 packs manufacturer coupons and basically got them buy one get one free.

Now next week I am hoping for some food stockpiling freebies.


Thanks for reading and may you be blessed, Laura

Apples

Apple Peel jelly

Single jar I am trying to show how beautiful this stuff is

11 quarts of apples in a very light syrup
Anyone who is part of the websites that I daily post "I am canning apples today" knows that I have been working on these gems for a week and a half. I am not done only abut half of the tree ids harvested.

this weeks menu ideas (9/26)

Monday - chili verde (new recipe) Greg is already finding faults with this one. No vegetables, no beans and its pale. I sneaked some of it and it tastes really good.

Tuesday - stuffed shells enchilada. And I found a recipe for homemade enchilada sauce.

Wednesday - whole baked chicken

Thursday - not sure thinking something with a beef & potato soup

Friday - new idea for recipe Mexican chicken using leftover chicken, leftover beans and some yellow rice in the cupboard

Saturday - something with the remaining beef roast. Oh how about some roast beef sandwiches with home made rolls?

Free E-Book

Just found a free E-book about stocking your pantry. Yes I have lots of experience stocking up on things - its always good to keep reading for new ideas. This one has a very nice list of the more complete sales cycles. I'm going to print it off once I get more ink or to the library (its only 10 pages if I read the info correctly).

http://www.scribd.com/doc/59136022/Yes-You-CAN-Have-a-Well-Stocked-Pantry?secret_password=l55tak5sbvmivow0y92

Happy reading and may you be blessed, Laura

Pioneer pockets

I was trying to gather the green beans and peas from the garden. It was really bothersome to pick a few and then have to find my bowl and drop them in it. So I was looking for my apron (it has huge pockets) but couldn’t so I found a Pioneer Pocket that a friend sent me a couple years ago. I had no idea when I received them what I would really use them for.

Check out how handy these are!!! I was able to gather the green beans from 2 of the plants instead of part of one plant. Pioneer pockets; cute and perfectly suited for the gardening needs

The "Help"

and no i don't mean the movie but today's actual kitchen help.



Simba chose to help by creating noise. He found an extra canning band and decided that it was pretty and made pretty sounds as he threw it around the box and on the floor. (Don't worry everything is washed before I use it)

Blessings and thank you for reading, Laura

Menu plan for Sept 18-24

Sunday - Chicken BBQ at church so we be eating that.
Monday - Rigatoni with creamy tomato sauce
Tuesady - Chili verde
Wednesday - German meatballs with sauerkraut
Thursday - French toast
Friday - Campfire hash
Saturday - no sure might be something real simple like hamburgers

Blessings, Laura

The hand

Sunday July 17, 2011

I am watching Body of Proof (Dana Delaney’s new show). She is tracking the killer of a steelworker. She asks her daughter (visiting the office for a school assignment) to look at the picture of the man’s hand. What does it say about him?
Who loved you?
What are your dreams?
Who’s grieving for you?

Here is my hand
Who loved/loves me – my parents, my husband, my cat Simba, my son, his girlfriend, my sister and her family, my brothers and their families, various Aunts, Uncles and cousins, my church family and I hope several of my various friends.
This list of people also answer the “who’s grieving for me”. In some sort of way I hope that the world in general misses me. But please don’t grieve to long for me. I’m try to live my life to the fullest so that I have no regrets but really the pain and bad times are done. I am with our Savior and full of happiness.

What are my dreams – I don’t know. I have some dreams like to start working for the local ministry group and learn to run a food pantry. I have deep caring feelings that draw me towards helping people. Right now things just seem to taking the path that God is leading me on – I just follow.

This hand (and its mate) has held her very newborn son (and since I know my Baby Bears will read this; you were 4 hours old the very first time) and then all thru the years of raising him, held the hands of 2 men when she married them, held the hands of several family and friends during their times of need and times of great joy. These hands worked hard doing several different sometimes dirty, greasy, yucky jobs. These hands work hard in the grocery store, garden and kitchen (not to mention her places of employment) to provide meals for her family. Look at the nails, nice and long nails on short fat fingers.  (Perhaps I should paint them and make them pretty)

So take a minute look at your hand and tell us what do they say about you?

Thank you for reading and May you be blessed, Laura

I remember

My thoughts and prayers are will all the families of the people that were killed on 9/11/2001.

On my mind

My friend Rhonda has her Friday post as On my mind. Today I have a large garden harvest on my mind. All my mixing bowls and my counter space is taken up with all the bounty.

2011 Summer post

Storm Damage July 21

Had a terrific storm this evening. Clouds rolled in and it got very dark and scary. I did try to sit out on the patio but even this storm watcher got scared. The lightening seemed to be very low and loud and I was hiding under a metal awning. I did gather some sense and decide to watch the storm from the inside of the front door instead of the patio. Of course my sidekick (Simba) was right there watching the storm.

The wind and rain were magnificent – I love a good storm. I was wishing that my camera would be able to capture the bands of rain as they fell in one direction but then have the wind grab them and throw everything in the opposite direction.

We had very little damage in the garden – the beans (all of the various types) did do some moving and blowing but nothing was damaged and we lost no produce.

I did notice 1 large branch in the backyard and assumed it fell from Miss Maple. Later Greg and I were sitting out back enjoying the break in humidity and temperature and were talking about Miss Maple. We decided to clean up the branch and we checked Miss Maple to see how badly she was damaged. We couldn’t find any damage on the old girl. Then we looked at the bark of the branch, it wasn’t from Miss Maple. The branch came from a tree at the middle of the back field – 50 feet away from Miss Maple.


We also noticed that another large part of another tree was broken and is hanging on to the rest of the tree. One thing I find amazing is how some trees can appear to be healthy and get damaged in storms but others that are obviously dead or sick get no apparent damage.

Garden surplus

Hum what to do with 6 cucumbers from the garden? Here is today’s recipe.
Recipe review
Like Grandma Used to Make page 47

Shaker Cucumber Salad
1 medium cucumber, halved lengthwise (I peeled mine)
¼ teaspoon salt
2 large green onion with tops, finely sliced
¼ cup thinly sliced radishes

Dressing
½ cup reduced fat sour cream
2 Tablespoon tarragon vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon prepared mustard or Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Scoop seeds out of cucumber, discard. Thinly slice cucumber. Measure 2 cups. Sprinkle slices with salt; let stand for 20 minutes. Drain well.

In a small bowl, combine cucumber, green onions and radishes. In a separate bowl, whisk tighter all dressing ingredients. Pour over vegetables. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. To serve, spoon salad onto shredded lettuce. Makes 4 side dish servings.

Results: Pretty good but for me too much vinegar (I used white wine vinegar) so I will cut back to 1 ½ Tablespoon.

Blessings, Laura

Product review

Who – Velveeta cheesy shells. Barbeque chicken flavor
What – 1 pot meal
Why – Well 2 reasons; #1 easy meal for one of us to make. #2 Hello its Velveeta!!
Cost – ($1.75 at Walmart) and then there was a 75 cent off coupon in the box.
Thoughts – very easy to make, everything but the chicken is in the box. I used canned chicken instead of cook me chicken. I also added BBQ sauce – just wasn’t enough for our liking.
Results – I will buy again for those I am to tired to cook nights. I actually got 4 $1 coupons that I used today to buy 4 additional boxes. 2 of these went into my long term storage I did buy 1 can of chicken for one of the boxes but the other uses ground beef.

August prepping work

Its close enough to the end of August that I want to report on my prepping work. So far I have cleaned out 2 of the 3 boxes from my closet floor. And the clothes in them were donated.

I have bought the following for the prepper stockpile:
1 package pantiliners. Besides from the obvious use they can double as large bandaids.
5 - 8 pack packages of pocket tissues
container for my first aid kit

I moved from the regular stockpile to the long term stockpile:
6 bars of Ivory soap
5 containers of dental floss
8 toothbrushes

And I created the first aid kit. Right now all I have is 40 band aids but at least it is started.

Everyone along the US East Coast is in my prayers.
Blessings

Relaxing

Sitting out back tonight. You can hear the usual sounds, leaves in the breeze, birds chirping, crickets chirping and little boys yelling.

Two of the neighbor boys (B & G both about 4-5 years) are playing at our end of the field. it's been a long time since either of us have had little ones to run around but, to me, its a nice sound.

B's father just yelled asking wht they were up to the reply ws "Looking for animals". What will they find a stray cat, a snake, rabbits or a groundhog? Most likely they will find a stray cat or two, the old tire, the wooden pallet or the pieces of concrete that are hidden in the tall grass.

Regardless I'll sit here and enjoy their sounds of play and happiness.

Blessings, Laura

Recipe review - Mandalay Beef casserole

Mandalay Beef casserole
Pillsbury Family Cook Book (1963) page 271

1 pound ground beef
8 oz (1 cup) can tomatoes
1 cup cooked rice
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup canned pineapple tidbits, drained
1 Tablespoon raisins
2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon curry powder (I used Mild Curry)
¾ teaspoon salt
chopped peanuts, optional

Oven 350 and this serves 6

Saute beef in skillet; drain off fat. Combine with remaining ingredients (except peanuts) in 1 ½ quart casserole dish. If desired, sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.

Opinion; yummmmm!!! Don’t let the idea of pineapple and raisins turn you off from trying this meal. Greg does not generally like pineapple but he ate 2 helpings of this one. Some things that I changed: I only had a thick style of Lea & Perrins (Worcestershire sauce) and since I have 2 more bottles I did not buy the regular style and as I stated I used Mild Curry powder. I also did not use the peanuts and did not bake the dish.

Recipe review - Easy Beef Stroganoff

Quick and easy beef stroganoff
Pillsbury Family Cook book (1963) page 273

1 pound ground beef
½ cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 Tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 tablespoon crushed rosemary
1 1/3 cup canned mushrooms pieces and stems, drained
10 1/2 oz condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
8oz chow mein noodles
2 Tablespoon minced parsley

Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in the butter until brown and tender. Add flour, seasonings and mushrooms; cook 5 minutes. Add soup; dimmer uncovered 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Heat, but do not boil. Serve over warm noodles. Garnish with parsley.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Results and comments: Good meal but I used egg noodles instead of the chow mein noodles. Also forgot to add the flour but I’m glad I didn’t; it turned out quite stiff and I almost added a bit of the mushroom juice or water to thin it out but extra water was not needed. I also added a dollop of sour cream when I served it.

Recipe review

Recipe review
Tuna Pasta Salad
1 package (8 oz) small shell pasta, cooked and drained
1 can (6 oz) tuna, drained and flaked
1 large carrot, shredded
¼ cup chopped onion
¾ cup mayonnaise (I used Miracle Whip)
¼ cup milk
1 Tablesppon lemon juice
2 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon dill weed
½ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

In large bowl combine pasta, tuna, carrot, onion. In another bowl, mix remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour liquids over noodle mixture, toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
Serves 4 servings

Results; very good and cool meal on a 96 degree day. Does need some type of crunchy so serve with a wheat style of cracker.
I followed the directions, except for the lemon juice (none in the house) and will not make any changes for future meals.

From Taste of Home April/May 1996 page 19
Made during June 2011

Preparing our house for an emergency

I’ve been watching several TV episodes about “Preppers”. If you’re unfamiliar with these people, they prepare themselves for a world collapse of almost any sort. I actually understand their thought process as I expect some sort of another Great Depression similar to 1929’s.

Preppers have hidden or some not so hidden at least a one year supply of everything needed to survive for their group/family unit.

My stockpile is so low after the hardships of the last 2 years (unemployment or underemployment) that I doubt that Greg & I could survive for 2 weeks. That has me worried not only for a years survival but what about this coming winter?

So many thoughts keep going thru my head –
What do we need to do?
How/where to start?
Where can I hide everything?

Well I have some thoughts on those matters. Storage we each have a closet in our bedroom – we can put things at the bottom under the hanging clothes. We need to be careful in Greg’s - his has the hot water heater that we must maintain access to.
Under our bed – we can put small containers like wrapping paper holders. I bet 6 of those could fit under the bed. Personally I am curious how many flat rolls of toilet paper will fit in one of those.
Under our trailer – plastic bins again to keep the dampness out
Our shed – needs cleaning but will hold stuff.

Next we need to figure out how many we will/can we provide for? Obviously we have us plus Simba. What about my brother Tom (he’s a special case) and if we provide for him how can I not provide for AJ & Kelly. What about the rest of the family – should I really be expected to provide for all? Tough choice there.

I was given a link to the LDS preparedness manual. Wonderful book, very thorough and includes biblical verses to back up the thought process. I think instead of printing all 222 pages I may find a hard copy of the book. I’ve read parts for 3 days now and know that I would often read thru the book over the coming years.

So to start I’ll clean out my closet – only has 4 boxes in it so easy work. And just start buying as I can. I’m going to focus on food and tools, a major first aid kit, backpacks, hunting/food gathering equipment, flashlights (need them anyways) and batteries.

This will be an ongoing process but at least I feel I have a starting point.

Blessings

The favorite sounds that home canners love to hear

#4

The sound is the lids popping on the freshly canned goodies.

#5

On the back of my Ma Ingalls post, it was canning day at our house.
Today I made some vegetable stock - 6 half pints. and some tomatoes - 3 pints and qa half pint (mostly juice in that one).

I'm going to can apples this year and we noticed that they are turning red :)

May you be blessed, Laura

Saturday July 16, 2011

For whatever reason I woke up thinking about how women took care of their families during the Laura Ingalls Wilder days. The outside temp was going to be in the low 90’s with a very large boatload of sunshine. We are in the middle of a hot spell with very little rain and personally it makes me feel like doing nothing at all.

But like Ma Ingalls I had no choice, I had the garden to tend to. A couple cherry tomatoes and a bowl full of green beans. I also had to be at the toy store by 4:30. Instead of taking the earlier bus and sitting at work until it was time to clock in, I stayed home until the very last minute. All I wanted to do was sit in my bed in the air conditioning but Ma Ingalls was in my head – take care of that garden. That garden will help provide us with food over the long cold snowy winter. Also Greg and I get a great deal of satisfaction tinkering in our garden.

Watching the weather the weather man is calling temps in the 90’s all the coming week. The kitchen has no A/C but Ma Beadle–Peeples has work to do this week;
I need to make the Dilly Green beans with today’s green bean harvest. Dill is not ready so I cleaned and cut the beans, and put them in the freezer.
Need to make the Hungarian mustard with the peppers (from our garden and our neighbor’s garden).
I need to fix the Mulberry jam I made 2 weeks ago – oh bad its very gritty but has a great taste.
I have a hankering for oatmeal cookies.
Not to mention the usual things like washing dishes, laundry, weeding the garden and harvesting any goodies that come forth. Oh and yes we might want to eat sometime so some food will need to be cooked.

I'm back after a short internet break

Hello friends, I have returned nicely refreshed.

While I was gone I did create some posts and took some pictures so starting tomorrow 8/17 I will be posting regularly.

Today I need to do some laundry and figure out all my passwords that I forgot.

Until tomorrow, Laura

Enter this giveaway

http://www.littlehouseliving.com/2011/04/grow-your-garden-giveaway.html

For the Laura Ingalls fans of the world this blog is close to reading those books we read as little girls.

I entered every way I could I would love some heirloom seeds for my garden.

Blessings to all and I will be back posting very very soon. Spring has arrived in NW Ohio, Laura

Freshest house on the street

Did some Rite Aid shopping after church last night. I bought the following:
6 Renuzit adjustable freshners
2 Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaners
2 Gain dish soaps
2 Purex pearls (new fabric softener)
1 Motrin PM

I used my $10 coupon for the Holiday shopping deal they had and a $1 upreward from 2 weeks ago and paid $4.26. Then with my receipt I also got $3 in uprewards.

Thank you for reading and blessings to you and yours. Laura

Its so sad outside

Another gloomy gray day here in Ohio. So I am pulling out some brighter pictures to cheer everyone.
Ok so I goofed but it still falls under the bright and sunny look I was going for. See the bright golden yellow circle on the boxes.
The view of our neighbors backyard just after the last ice storm. Something like 2 inches of ice and then 2 inches of snow on top of it covered by a thin layer of ice. It was fun crunching around on the snowy icy ground.

Kind of hard to see but Miss Maple has this lovely coating of ice on her. We were lucky she only lost 2 branches and they were so small that they will be kindling wood for the summer burning season.

Blessings and thank you for reading, Laura

Hello friends

Today in the mail I had a surprise package. I hadn't ordered anything and the only hint of what was in side was the return address - Fulfillment center.

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out these bright orange flip flops. Perfect I had to throw out 4 pairs after last summer and needed to restock for this summer. they came from Orbit gum - cool.

Blessings and thanks for reading

The I love to shop at Rite Aid for free trip

One of our neighbors offered a ride (so he could pick my bargain finding brain) to Rite Aid today.

Store #1
Carefree pantiliners 99 cents – 50 cent manufacturer coupon = 49 cents
Reach toothbrush $3.99 - $1 manu coupon - $1 UPS = $1.99 Not a deal don’t ask me why I bought it.
Snapple diet peach – don’t know the price
3 Hormel completes $1.99 - $1 up (for each) - 55 cent manu coupon = 45 cents each (Great for Greg’s fend for yourself nights)

Total $4.99 got back $5 in UPS

Store #2
3 Carefree liners 99 cents each – 3 - 50 cent manu coupons = 49 cents each
1 Right Guard body wash $3.99

Used $5 in UPS and paid 93 cents cash got $3 in UPS back

Sorry camera batteries are dead so no picture.

Blessings, Laura

Well that was interesting

I did my first price matching at Walmart today and I had fun doing it!!!

We get an ad from a local mom & pop grocery store. I always look at it, they carry the kind of odd food that Greg likes. Two more pluses are that the store is near our home and they double coupons. Well I really didn't want to go there today or this week. But I was going to get my hair done next door to Walmart and a bell went off in my head. Price match!!!

So after checking with Customer Service, it took 4 people to find the answer to "Will you price match this price?"

So I paid 40 cents per box versus Walmart's 43 cents each and versus Krogers 49 cents each. Very happy and now I am really stocked on Jiffy Cornbread mix.

Blessings, Laura

Sorry for the long break

Can we say that I am so tired of winter!!?? but don't worry I'll be posting some snow pictures in the next couple days.

Have you ever received a piece of mail that just lifts your heart when you see the handwriting? Two people do this to me first Kelly and AJ Bears. then the second is my Aunt Joyce, how she can write so small and prim and proper is beyond me. But seeing that handwriting on the envelope means that I get a nice letter from her.

Today she sent a gentle scolding about going to LPN school and not giving up on that dream (I'm not just put it on hold due to finances) and pictures!!! I scanned them and am now trying to upload them but the first attempt didn't work (and it looks like the second is failing also). One is me at my baptism - I really need to tease my Aunt Peg about that 1965 circa hat!!! The second is of Aunt Joyce, Uncle Pat (her husband), Uncle Dan and my mom. the note says Dan came home for leave and bought sis (AKA my mom) a puppy and that she was living with Aunt Joyce & Uncle Pat at the time. Mom is just a young girl maybe 2???

I'll try to figure out what went wrong with the scans and post them at another time.

Off to write Aunt Joyce back.
Blessings, Laura

Frugal lunches

I was working on a list of frugal lunches for Down to Earth and decided to post here also.

Some of My cheap lunch options:

Vegetables and dip/salad dressing. I bought a storage dish set that has small containers just perfect for holding small amounts of dressing, peanut butter or sandwich spread.

Peanut butter and apple slices or pear slices. Protein and fruit and your mouth sticking together with peanut butter pretty fun stuff.

leftover Frittata. I've eaten at room temp and they are pretty good

pizza - most children (and adults) love pizza. Make your own at home and make it good aka healthy and cheap.

Along the same lines of Lunchables: lunch meats, cheese slices and crackers, pita bread, wraps and they assemble the food themselves. Even cheese and crackers without the meat would be great.

I remember a friend in high school that was Jewish and during passover did not eat bread. She brought peanut butter and special unleavened crackers for lunch and we were envious. Do the same thing peanut butter and crackers make for fun sandwiches.

You can also use those small scraps of meat and cheese to make a great Chef salad.

And the ever popular leftovers.

Some helpful hints that I tend to forget.
Use the plastic bag inside your cereal carton to put your sandwiches in for your lunch.

Fill old plastic drinks bottle with filtered tap water and store in your fridge as an alternative to bought bottled water. Freeze them and you can use them to keep your lunch cold until you eat. Then you can drink the thawed water also.

Thank you for reading and blessings, Laura

Snow again

View facing the back field


The neighbors bush (2 doors down). These are actually 2 different bushes and I just love the way they hold the snow and look so pretty when they are covered.


Our bush out front - I liked how it held the snow today also.

Greg the ever faithful friend sweeping off the other neighbors van.

I know what else do you expect in Ohio during January?! We got some pretty fluffy white stuff yesterday. depending where in the city the measurement was taken anywhere from 4 to 5 inches. The nearby TV station got 4.5 inches so that is what I use for our place.

Blessings

Rite Aid and breakfast this morning

In my quest to be more coupons and money wiser I returned to Rite Aid this week. I had a refund check for $3.95 and $6 in up rewards to use. And of course my coupons.

On the list and since I went before work I made sure I stuck to the list.

2 Wet Ones wipes $1.99 each - $1 up rewards (for each) and - $1 manufacturer coupons = 2 free

Special K cereal on sale BOGO and I used a BOGO coupon = 2 free boxes

Rite Aid envelopes 2 for $1

Listerine $3.99 - $2 manufacturer coupon for the Zero formula = $1.99

A bottle of water for work

After removing the coupons, refund check and the previous up rewards my out of pocket was $3.52

And I have $4 in up rewards for next week. Since there are places online that I can get a preview of the ads early I am checking them and if I am not going shopping the next week I will turn around and use that weeks new rewards so I don’t let them go to waste.

And yes someone again has insomnia and is posting at 4:36 am.

Have a good day and blessings, Laura

December 2010 Free stuff

Lots of free stuff this month:
December freebies
can of Wolf chili
head of lettuce
free 2 liter of Big K (got coupon last month)
2 boxes of Barilla Pasta
free bag of Ande's baking chips (rebate)
brick of Kroger cream cheese (coupon found ins tore)
$3 Pinecone payment
$10 gc from TRU (promo deal)
10 first class stamps from Quadreaders
dividend check from Life Insurance
tin of nuts from Quadreaders
doz eggs (used Kroger coupon from last month)
can of Whiskas cat food
2 boxes of pasta
small bag of M&M's
$10 amazon toy code
sample pack of Playtex tampons
sample SalonPas heat patch
Free dox eggs (Kroger special deal)
2 bags of frozen vegis
4 boxes of Pillsbury toaster pastries (contest win)
$2 coupon off beef, chicken (Wishbone refund)
Kroger coupons (no freebies)
coupon train envie
Oxy clean clinical samples
$3 Pinecone survey payment
coupon for free bottle of Extra strength Excederin
Rite Aid single check rebate
Caregivers Marketplace rebate
2 coupons free 12 pack Coke (cokerewards)
sample Golean Crisp and coupons including a $3 off 1 should be a free or very cheap box
purse size tube of hand lotion
Avon lip balm
Ande's mint rebate
Little Ceaser's pepperoni pizza (from neighbor)
Seattle's best coffee sample
2 BOGO 2 liters Coke products (Recyclebank point turn in)
$5 Amazon code

Blessings, Laura