May's Groceries

I've done our main shopping for May.  I didn't do a formal menu plan.  Instead, we will be eating from the freezer and planning around our produce boxes.

Our First CSA Box

Yummmmmmm!  And they started a week earlier than we expected.

Canning Split Pea Soup

Sharing a bit of my small batch canning.  I like to cook a family sized recipe and can the excess so I have ready-made soups.  (The recipe is typed out under the video on the YouTube site.)

Motivational Monday -- Untraditional Shopping Sources

We ordered from Amazon Prime Pantry for the first time.  Normally this isn't a source I consider, but with the cost of gas going up and the need for some items for my daughter.....I decided to give it a try.  (We've been back and forth with medical for her stomach and mid-May she has more tests.)  I don't believe this is necessarily more frugal than shopping in a regular grocery store.  However, we could not find the items that are working well for her locally.  I know compared to driving to Raleigh this was the more frugal option.

How My Week is Shaping Up

I used stickers I printed in this week's plan layout.  You can buy large label sheets from an office supply and print your own.  There are tons of free options out there.  These are from Victoria Thatcher.  She has a lot of great collections.

Frugal Happenings for Last Week

Sunday through Wednesday we were in survival mode.  We did eat homecooked meals all for except one meal.  May not sound frugal, but I am counting this one as a win.

Thursday —

• I spent my day cleaning, and  I used up several small bits of cleaners.
• I went to the thrift store and found several items on my list.  Among these were three summer skirts and fabric for two gowns.  (I’ll share those as soon as I get them made.)
• I picked up a 5 ingredient or less cookbook for inspiration.
• We ate from what was on hand and delayed grocery shopping.
• I washed all the heavy bedding to put away.  I did have to dry these, but I hung our regular laundry to dry.
• I went to Michaels and found a planner for 70% off along with some paper and stickers at 50% off.  The planner is on my shelf for next years use.  It won’t matter to me about it not being the latest...and since it is undated I feel fine about saving it.  I’ll use the paper and stickers in my planning as I go along.
• I made a simple cake stand to replace the last one I broke.

Friday —

• I continued my spring cleaning and extra laundry.
• Company that was supposed to come Thursday had their days mixed up and came Friday instead....to coincide with a required trip to town.  I pulled a simple crockpot meal together from my home canned items and served it with cornbread.
• We ate leftovers for supper, watched a movie we already owned, and popped popcorn for our snack.
• I took the lid off of a bottle of face cleanser so I could bang the bottom of the bottle to get the last out — waste not, want not!
• I printed some stickers for my planner.
• I repurposed some items from around the house and added a Pier 1 vase from the thrift store.

Saturday —

• My brother and his family came to visit and while they were here my sister and her husband came over.  We splurged on a family breakfast out....not frugal, but budgeted for and we had fun.
• We finished our spring cleaning and did most of the outside work.  Saves a bundle doing our own.
• I made homemade pizza for supper using on hand supplies.
• We have made it three days without running to the store.  Tomorrow I will have to get milk though.

Updating Decor for less than $5

DIY Cake Stand Using Thrift Store Finds

Chatter

I’m so far behind on my blog reading I don’t know if I will ever catch up.

I spent most of the day doing the neglected housework, and I ran a few errands.  Today was wash the bedding day.  I gave all the heavy blankets one last wash before we pack them away.  It was late, but I think spring is finally here.

I have company coming tomorrow and then again Saturday morning.  I’m trying to decide on a crockpot dish for tomorrow.

My electric bill was down to $154!!!!  Yay....of course, we will go into a/c weather soon.

Operation eat down the freezer hasn’t been a total success because I got stuck away for a while, but nothing new has been added to the freezer so that was good.

And that is it....I survived the last minute chaos so I hope to be back to posting regularly.

5 Ingredient Chicken Chili

Plan with Me -- the last week of tax season

All About Me Tag

This is just a quick getting to know me tag.  I'll be back after the weekend.  The tax deadline is upon us.  Thank goodness!!!!!

$5 Meal Challenge

This was a fun challenge that was right up my alley.  I went with a pressure cooker soup.  Amusingly we like it better this way over the more expensive version.

Monday's Retro Projects Update

A quick update on my projects.  I was able to make the sweater (with enough yarn left for a second vest) for about $12.  The yarn for the blanket was purchased with coupons, but I don't have the receipt in front of me.  

Sometimes Plans go Awry

Chocolate Cake Cook with Me

Gluten free and all purpose flour recipe.  Can be made egg and dairy free.

Frugal Happenings for the First Week of April

In no particular order:

1. We pulled together Easter dinner from what we had on hand -- with the exception of chocolate milk that I needed for the cake.
2. I paid bills online.
3. I repurposed some old baskets rather than looking for new storage.
4. I gave away three pairs of shoes and some kitchen items -- sharing and preventing things going to the dump.
5. We rented a movie from RedBox that I had been debating buying.  I may rent it one more time, but don't feel the need to have it on hand.
6. I downloaded some free sticker printables.
7. We continued to eat from the freezer and the pantry.  However, I did pick up some convenience items for my daughter's lunches.
8. I finished a sweater and an afghan on our long rides.

Canning Spaghetti Sauce

Needs have changed in our house, and I rarely pull out the big stovetop canner anymore.  In this video, I demonstrate some small batch canning using an electric pressure canner.

This is perfect for those of us who find due to arthritis and other issues that lifting and fiddling with the larger canner has become more difficult.

Blueberry Muffin Recipes

The Bisquick blueberry muffins are found here:

https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/blueberry-muffins/ca00251f-d317-4b55-bdce-d32fa7d8c142


I do not thaw my blueberries.  I add 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 teaspoon of orange zest.




The Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins:
by Nicole Hunn https://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/

This recipe is from Gluten Free on a Shoestring and the following is my pithy directions:

Preheat oven to 350F.

Cream together:
1 stick of room temperature butter
2/3 cup of sugar

Add in:
1 large egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Beat until fluffy.

Add in:
1/2 cup low fat sour cream
2 medium super ripe bananas, mashed
Mix well.

In separate bowl combine:
1 1/2 cups of gluten free flour
3/4 tsp xanthan gum  (if using Better Batter flour, omit this.)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Mix the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until it becomes thick.  Fold your blueberries in.
Bake at 350F for about 25 minutes or until done.

Blueberry Muffins Two Ways

A quick video using up some frozen blueberries as part of my April plan to clear that freezer.

Plan with Me -- First Week of April

Just a quick plan of how my week is shaping up.  I'm going to be back at our home place with my husband for the week....so things will be a little "shook up."

Baked Spaghetti -- typed recipe

Baked Spaghetti (preheat 350F)

8 ounces of cooked spaghetti noodles, drained
1 egg
1/2 cup of milk
1 to 2 cups of shredded mozzarella
about 4 cups of pasta sauce with your choice of meat and veggies
parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top

Mix egg, milk, 2/3 of mozzarella, and pasta together.  Pour into greased dish.
Top with rest of mozzarella and the parmesan.  Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes.
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.