An Easy Chicken and Noodle Casserole

This was a pretty easy casserole that can be made as frugally as you chose.  In fact, I think it would be an ideal pull together to use up leftovers of various kinds.

Frugal Happenings for the Last Two Weeks

1.  This week in an effort to get myself out of the “no cooking” doldrums I created a supper menu plan that included mostly crockpot meals.  We did pretty well at sticking to it.  A win-win because we ate a little better, I continued to use up things from the freezer, and we used less electricity.

2.  We used Walmart Grocery Pickup, which kept us out of the stores.  I also picked up some items to fill in some pantry blanks from Sam's Club and Aldi.

3.  We had family over for supper and I was able to pull everything except for bread from our supplies....due to the heat I did not bake bread though.  Instead I bought rolls from Dollar Tree.

4.  I finished up an almost completely recycled from “would be trash items” book.  It has kind of been a self-care therapy project.  I figure the cost of supplies and goodness only knows what the cost of therapy would be is all saved.  LOL

5.  A crafting supply I ordered from Amazon — the best price I could find after shopping around — came damaged.  I contacted customer support.  They had me keep the damaged item (parts of which I can use, just not the whole thing) and sent me a free replacement that arrived the next day.  

6.  We packed a picnic for a day trip.

7.  I packed a thermos of coffee for a second road trip we took since we were leaving super early in the morning.  This thermos lasted us the entire ride.

8.  I've been doing laundry once a week and washing larger loads since I am having to use the dryer.  It seems to be helping and the electric bill has stabilized.

9.  We are still working on eating down some items.  I've actually emptied several jars from our home canned items as well in my attempt to rotate things in and out.

It's Never Too Early

I've been working on Christmas...yes, Christmas.  It's never too early.  This year I really wanted to give the people on my Christmas card list handmade cards that I made with each family in mind.

Slack Blogger

I’ve been so slack about blogging.  I think in part because I spend a lot of time crafting and lost in what I am doing.  I’ve also been doing a lot more filming than I have been writing down words.  Somehow it just seems easier right now.

I’ve finished an altered book journal for my daughter-in-law that was a very fun project to make.

I’ve also finished a book that is for my sister that is to be used as a bullet journal type set up with removable pages.  It has a mermaid theme and a totally different set up than the other books I’ve been working with.  

The last book I worked on is a brag book for a new grandmama.  This one is pretty blank inside, but I think it is quite adorable.

Each book has been a little different than the previous and with each one I feel like I have learned something new.  I have a million ideas floating around in my head for various projects and what seems like endless hours to spend in my craft room.