My Latest Crafting Project

Where has the month gone?

I can’t believe I have been so long without sharing anything here.  I’ve got to confess that I am finding it easier to do videos than to sit and type.  Maybe because I find myself more restless.

In no particular order:

1. I broke my giant drying rack — probably beyond repair — and my current utility bill shows it. Sigh, but to be fair using the dryer was easier when I couldn’t go up the stairs and someone else had to do the laundry.  Then to add insult I was the one, who when I did go upstairs, broke the thing.  Sigh!
2. I did do some traveling to visit with family.
3. I’ve been doing some thrifting and some crafting.
4. I’ve been baking, cooking, and trying to use up some things.

Doesn’t sound like much of a month, but somehow I’ve been busy.

We did try a new to us recipe that was pretty good.

Thrifted Books

I found some cute books at the thrift store.  One for my grandson, one devotional, two cookbooks, and a couple of crafting/educational type books.

First week of June Menu Plan and Grocery Haul.

Cook with Me — Broccoli Cornbread

This is one of my favorite recipes.

Frugal Happenings for the Last Week of May

Sunday May 27

• I decided this would be the perfect week to only cook from what we had on hand.  I made one exception and picked up some lettuces for salads.  In keeping with that plan, I made up a menu.
• I baked gluten free chocolate chip cookies and froze half the dough in a log for future use.  I used up two partial bags of chocolate chips in this recipe.
• We pulled "yellow sticker" ribs from the freezer and cooked them in the crockpot with BBQ sauce I bought in bulk (and froze) some time back.  I served it with rice (from food storage).  For veggie sides we had slaw (cabbage from CSA box) and tomato slices (from same box).
• I washed and hung laundry to dry.
• I wanted Memorial Day themed stickers for my planner and used the computer/printer to make my own.

Monday May 28

• I cooked 28 waffles and froze what wasn't eaten for breakfast.  These will last a couple of weeks and give my daughter quick, easy breakfasts/snacks.
• I used up 2 bananas and some lingering raisins to make a dozen muffins for my husband to take with him.  He'll put these in the freezer and take them out as needed.
• I had 5 lingering apples that became a pint and about a cup of applesauce.
• I used the crockpot to cook hamburger steak -- it was too rainy to grill out.
• Lunch was hot dogs, squash from our CSA box, and a tin of Aldi pork n beans that I doctored into baked beans.  We used up 4 lingering hot dog buns.  (I ate mine without a bun.)
• I moved my potted plants outdoors for a free drink.
• I bought lettuce for the week.  I was going to buy organic, but it looked horrible.  Instead I picked up "regular" and for two heads spent $2.61.

Tuesday May 29

• Physical therapy day and since I was going by Goodwill anyway I decided to stop.  
• I found a couple of shirts and a dress for myself.
• I ran the dryer for a load of towels....not frugal, but I hate stiff towels.
• We're working on using up bits and pieces from the fridge.  Tonight's supper will be fried rice instead of the risotto I had planned.  

Wednesday May 30 

• I baked a cake. 
• We had family over for supper.  I cooked a simple casserole and made a garden salad for the side.

Thursday May 31

• I made crockpot mac and cheese.  Kept the house cooler.  My sister came over to eat with me, and we had a good visit.  
• My daughter picked up our CSA box.
• We attended our watercolor art class and I really enjoyed it.

Friday June 1

• I inventoried the freezer and picked up what few groceries we needed.  

Saturday June 2

• We went to TJ Maxx and I bought a couple of huge floppy summer hats.  Thanks to medication any time I step outside I am frying.  
• I checked out three cookbooks and a book on CD from the library.
• We went to the Town Common and walked.
• Not so frugal, but planned.... special shampoo for my hair.
• We had a quiet family night at home.

That is it.  A relatively quiet and relatively frugal week.

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Plan with Me First Week of June

What’s Cookin’?

Just a sampling of some of the things we’ve cooked over the last week or so.

Easy Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese

This is an easy and quick meal.  The beautiful thing about it for this time of year is that it doesn't heat the house up.  We're already experiencing some humid days and the summer isn't even officially here.