FRUGAL LIVING IN COLUMBUS,OHIO
Frugal living is a lifestyle
that involves careful
planning and spending
as well as avoiding
waste. It's not about
being cheap; it's
really about being
practical and making
the most of available
resources through
various methods of
saving money, reusing
existing items instead
of buying new ones,
and finding bargains
and good deals.
The premise is that
a person shouldn't
pay more for something
if he or she doesn't
have to.
If you ever need to exercise your leg muscles all you need to do is weed a garden. The backs of my legs hurt so bad this morning. And I'm sure giving the dog a bath yesterday didn't help with squatting over the bathtub sides.
Now if I could figure out how to get rid of what the kids call either bat flaps or chicken wings, the skin that hangs on the underside of your arms, then I be set.
Christmas in July. I'm gonna scream if I see one more Christmas thing on TV. HSN was selling Christmas trees, they had Christmas cartoons on yesterday and now they have something Christmas on the news. Give it a break already. When I think about Christmas all I see are dollar signs!
Well I need to make some breakfast for a hollering kid. Then work on getting the salmon in the crock. Will be glad to get that thing outta the fridge because fish can get stinky. Will probably stink up the house while it's cooking. Think I'll cut up some candles and throw them in my potpourri crock to help mask the scent.
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9:55AM
Just got done with my salmon fillets. I marinated them overnight in some Italian dressing, a little lemon juice and soy sauce. Today I breaded them with Italian bread crumbs. I placed them on buttered aluminum foil then topped with orange zest and dill. I crumpled up some aluminum foil and placed it in the bottom of the crock then added a little water in the bottom. I then placed the salmon foil packets on top. The crock is on medium heat.
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Here's an idea I had. Some stores are starting to have Summer clearances so that means those lawn and garden items will start getting marked down. I was thinking about trying to find some cheap solar lights. (should have gotten some when I saw them at Dollar Tree but figured they didn't work too good for a buck). I can have Tony drill holes into the center tops of the fence posts and insert the stake of a simple yard solar light into them to illuminate the tops of the fencing in the yard. To get an actual cap solar light for a fence post would run about $15 to $20 each! I know at the moment Big Lots has solar lights for 30% off.
Oh and if the power ever goes out you could grab a couple solar lights to use indoors instead of candles!
Just a thought I had.
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10:35AM
What to do, what to do!
Just got a phone call from Proctor & Gamble.
I was actually supposed to of had my paperwork sent to them last week if I was to go through with the contest. I didn't turn it it pretty much for fear of having to fly on a plane. People with anxiety or panic attacks would have a hard time with this. I explained to the lady on the phone that I won't fly on a plane. And she said that they would probably cover the expense of driving if we chose that route. I have another 2 days extension on my paperwork if I chose to go.
So driving expense would possibly be paid for. I think any expense we would have to come up with would be for meals.
So now I'm sitting here wondering what to do. I'd have to get a babysitter for the kids for two days. And I don't have a date for when the trip would be. Still need to send them a photo. Think I'll use the one from Facebook. They say they need one to use for publicity all around the WORLD! Oh yeah that makes me wanna puke! Well at least it would just be a picture and not my actual self!
Too many thoughts going through my head!!
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11:30AM
Today's garden goodies.
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11:45AM
Well I woke up not feeling too bad and in a half way decent mood. Tony's getting rid of the pager today so that's a good thing. Now I don't feel like doing much of anything! Maybe I'll try to go clean the bathroom or something not too hard. Guess it's the place to be when you feel like crap or made to feel like crap. In some people's eyes you cannot seem to say or do anything right! No it's not anyone in this household. And here I was all excited about the contest and possibly going to do that. Didn't take long for someone to ruin that moment.
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2:30PM
Just discovered that Betty Crocker's cookie contest is going on NOW through July 31st!!! AHHHH when did this happen???
It's only from July 5th to July 31st. Wowzer the entry time has gotten a whole lot shorter than what it used to be.
You would think if you were a member of their website they would send you something in your email about it!!
I have ONLY 6 days to enter anything!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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4:30PM
Took Salmon out of crock. I made salmon fillets once awhile ago and they were horrible. Not sure how I fixed them or if I even marinated them. I'm slowly learning how to make fresh fish. Tired of the boxed kind. I sampled a little today from the ones made in the crock pot and I give it thumbs up!! Very good!
Here it is all put together. I served it with sweet Italian buns, cut in half and grilled with butter and garlic. Melted some velveeta and sour cream french onion dip in microwave and spread it on top of bread. Topped with a Tuscan blend seasoning.
For the pasta I used a box of parmesan hamburger helper (just the pasta and mix no hamburger), boiled the pasta, drained. Then added butter, a little milk, parmesan mix from Helper box and a couple squirts of Italian dressing.
This was not at all from a recipe. Just something I threw together as usual with ingredients I have in the cupboard or fridge.
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Tony has to work late tonight due to a property inspection tomorrow. I still need to run to Kroger to get a few things to start cookie baking. So much for not using the oven. At least the humidity level is not like it was.
I have one, possibly two, recipes I want to create. Who knows what to expect with last minute entries. The one that became a finalist before was one of the last ones I entered a couple years ago.
Yesterday at 8am it was already 84 degrees. This morning it is 77 and feels like 77. What a difference when compared to yesterday. When the sun was setting it seemed like kids came outside to play. It was still very hot out. I had junior high age kids playing basketball here and they were sweating up a storm. I took out a gallon of water from the cooler and some cups for them. My $12 thrift store water cooler has been the greatest thing this Summer! We don't buy water for it. Instead we just refill it with tap water. Our truck driver neighbor had a little birthday party for his one girl last night at most neighborhood kids, including ours, went and had cake and ice cream. The only problem I had with it was that he waited all day and ended up having kids over at 9PM!! I think that's a tad late to be having a kids party don't ya think?!
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Sorry Kendra & Dewaine, I ended up falling asleep last night before Wall to Wall Sports came on. BUT I did dvr it so I wouldn't miss it.
Oh yeah gotta have some pics of y'all lookin' like a deer caught in headlights! LOL! Hey that's better than everyone telling me I looked like Blair Witch when I was on 10TV, LMAO!! But hey it was like 20 below outside and I was having a cap on my head! They zoomed in so close you could see the pores on my face, ahhhh!
OK I better be nice, I still have the rest of my fence to be done, LOL! Y'all got more guts than I do to go on tv!
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$3:40PM
Just home from Kroger. Tony had to pick up a prescription. They had lots of sample ladies there today :0) While there I got the following:
2 packages 2 pound chicken breasts $1.44 each
Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade Cups .19 cents
Sweet Italian bread .49 cents
Sweet Italian sub buns $1.49
4 Mentos gums $2.00 for 4
2 gallons milk .99 cents each
Saw regular bread for .39 cents but didn't get any.
Then we stopped by Speedway on the way home and got 2 free 40 ounce slushies.
On the way home the truck started acting up. Tony thinks it's a fowled out spark plug. So there's more money to spend to buy spark plugs and hopefully that fixes the problem. Bought a bottle of Gumout to put in the tank. I'm sick of spending money on stuff. If they made things they way they used to we would have to kerplunk money into things to get them repaired or replaced!! Now a days things are made cheaper with a higher price tag on them!! Years ago things were made to last. Not now. They figured out how they can make money off ya.
Don't know what was going on around 315 & Henderson Rd today. Saw the helicopter flying REALLY low around where the bike path is and just North of it along Olentangy River. I thought it was landing. Normally you don't see the helicopter in that area.
I think for awhile I'm gonna cut back on grocery shopping as long as money keeps flying out of this house for one thing or another. So unless it's dirt cheap or something we really need, that's when I'll get it.
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Today I spent cleaning the dining room and vacuuming the floor. Then went out and weeded out the garden. I was a little behind with that. But it looks good now and you can see the veggies now, lol.
Tony putting in $40+ worth of spark plugs in the truck. Did not fix the problem of running rough.
I will keep this at the bottom of the page so when you check back be sure to scroll up.
More jar and convenient mixes recipes:
CRISP IN A JAR
Note: I would let the jars thaw some and come somewhat to room temperature before putting in a hot oven!
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Homemade Baking Mix (AKA Bisquick)
Ingredients
5 ½ cups sifted flour 1 tsp baking soda 3 tbsp baking powder 1 cup shortening
Mix all ingredients well until crumbly. Store in an air tight container.
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Homemade Italian Dressing Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
1 ½ tsp garlic powder 1 tbsp onion powder 2 tbsp ground oregano 1 tbsp dried parsley 1 tbsp granulated sugar 2 tbsp salt (adjust to your own personal preference) 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp ground basil ¼ tsp ground thyme ½ tsp dried celery flakes
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To prepare the dressing: Mix two tablespoons of the mix with ¼ cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons of water, and ½ to 2/3 cup olive oil or canola oil.
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Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Ingredients
½ cup cocoa 1 cup water 2 cups sugar 1/8 tsp salt ¼ tsp vanilla
Mix the cocoa & the water in a saucepan. Heat and stir to dissolve the cocoa. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Boil three minutes. Add the salt & the vanilla. Pour into a sterilized pint jar, and store covered in the refrigerator.
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Homemade Pancake Syrup
Ingredients
3 cups granulated sugar 1 ½ cups water 3 tbsp molasses 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp butter flavoring 1 tsp maple extract
Bring all of the ingredients to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Turn off burner, but leave pot on burner until the bubbling stops.
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Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
Ingredients
1 ½ cups chicken broth ½ tsp poultry seasoning ¼ tsp onion powder ¼ tsp garlic powder 1/8 tsp salt ¼ tsp parsley Dash of paprika 1 ½ cups milk ¾ cup flour
In a medium-sized saucepan, boil chicken broth, ½ cup of the milk, and the seasonings for a minute or two. In a bowl, whisk together the remaining one cup of milk and flour. Add to boiling mixture and continue whisking briskly until the mixture boils and thickens.
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Homemade Rice Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
¾ cup chicken bouillon granules ½ cup dried parsley 1 tbsp. basil 1 tbsp dill weed 2 tbsp, dried onion flakes 1 tsp seasoning salt 2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning 1 cup almonds, coarsely chopped (optional)
Mix together and store in an airtight container. When preparing rice, combine 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, and three tablespoons of the seasoning. Bring your water to a boil and add rice & seasoning. Reduce to simmer and cook for eighteen minutes.
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Homemade Pumpkin Pie Seasoning Mix (submitted by Marva)
Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until evenly distributed. Put about 1 1/3 cups into three 1-pint containers and label as "Chicken Flavored Rice Mix". Store in a cool, dry place and use within 6 to 8 months. Makes about 4 cups of mix.
To use: Mix 1 1/3 cups Chicken Flavored Rice Mix with 2 cups cold water and 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 to 25 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. 4 to 6 servings
Preparation: Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in airtight container in a cool, dry place. Makes the equivalent of 8 packages purchased Sloppy Joe seasoning mix. 3 Tbsp. Sloppy Joe Mix equals one package purchased mix.
Sloppy Joes
Brown 1 lb. lean ground beef in a large skillet; drain fat. Add 3 Tbsp. Sloppy Joe Mix, 1/2 cup water, and 1 cup ketchup or crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer 5-10 minutes until thickened.
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Convenience Taco Seasoning Mix
1/3 cup instant minced onion 1 tablespoon crushed dried red pepper 3 tablespoons salt 1 tablespoon instant minced garlic 1 tablespoon curry powder 3 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 teaspoons oregano
Combine all ingredients. Store in a jar and cover tightly. To use, measure 2 tablespoons to equal a package. Makes 8 packages or 1 cup mix.
Tacos Brown 1 pound lean hamburger in skillet. Drain excess fat. Add 1 package taco mix and 3/4 cup water; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced. Stir. Place about 2 tablespoons meat mixture into each taco shell. Top the meat with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes and finely shredded lettuce. Makes 8 to 10 tacos
Combine and place in an airtight container; store in a cool place. Use in place of salt to season food.
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Basic Pancake Batter 2 cups flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup dry milk plus 1-1/4 cups water or 1-1/2 cups fluid milk 3 tablespoons margarine
Thoroughly mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, dry milk (if used) and margarine. Store the mix in a jar or other airtight container. Label with directions. Make only as many batches as you will use within 3 months.
When ready to make a batch of pancakes, empty one batch of mix into bowl. Add an egg and water or milk and combine well. Follow recipe directions for cooking.
It may be simpler to make and store several single batches individually. But it is also possible to multiply the dry ingredients to make a quantity of mix to be stored in a large container. The only difference in using this approach is that you must figure how much mix to measure out when you want a single batch of pancakes. To do this, add together all the cups, all the tablespoons and all the teaspoons to dry ingredients and fat in the original recipe for a single batch and then convert the answer you get into cups of dry mix.
2 cups four + 1/2 cup dry milk = 2-1/2 cups (or 2 cups and 8 tablespoons)
Total = 2 cups + 14 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon (or 3 cups minus 2 tablespoons)
As in this recipe, you are likely to come out with a sum that does not make an even 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2 cup. Estimate your figures to the nearest tablespoon. In this case, to make a single batch of pancakes, you would measure out 3 cups of the mix less 2 tablespoons.
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Cappuccino Mix
* 1 1/3 cups instant coffee, with or without caffeine * 1 1/2 cups plain powdered coffee creamer * 2 cups hot chocolate mix, reg. or sugar-free * 1 cup sugar or sugar substitute * 1 tsp. ground cinnamon * 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
Directions:
Mix well and store in air-tight container.
To use, mix 3 teaspoons per cup of boiling water
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Homemade Baking Powder
* 1/4 tsp. baking soda * 1/4 tsp. cornstarch * 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
Directions:
Mix well. This makes one teaspoon of baking powder. Recipe can be doubled or tripled
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Homemade Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Drink Mix
* 2 cups instant non-fat dry milk * 1/2 cup cocoa, unsweetened * artificial sweetner to equal 1 cup (sweet n low-24 packets) * 1/4 tsp. salt * 3 /4 cup dry non-dairy creamer
Directions Mix all ingredients and store in airtight container. To make cup of hot chocolate, mix 1 /4 cup dry mix with one cup boiling water. You can add some spices like cinnamon or vanilla flavor, etc., if desired.
Note: Adding the non dairy creamer was my idea. The original is copied from a package of instant dry milk powder. Only difference is I add non dairy creamer. They do not. Name of company manufacturer is not available. I got the instant milk from a food pantry. Many times names are not available. Being diabetic, I could not afford to buy the mix in the store.
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White Sauce, Gravy or Soup Mix
* 4 cups instant dry milk * 1 cup flour * 1 cup margarine, softened
Directions Mix dry milk and flour until thoroughly blended. With pastry blender, cut in margarine until like fine meal. Store in lightly closed container in refrigerator. To make white sauce or gravy: Combine 2/3 cup mix with each cup of water or broth. Heat while stirring until mixture boils. Season as desired. Serve over meat or vegetables. Grated cheese may be added after mixture thickens. Note: Creamed dried beef can be made in a few minutes with this recipe.
Directions Combine all ingredients mixing well. Place in a ziplock bag. Use within 6 months. Makes 2 Tbsp. Vegetable Dip Ingredients
* 1 Tbsp. lemon juice * 1 cup mayonnaise * 1 cup sour cream * 1 package vegetable dip mix (recipe above)
Directions Combine all ingredients. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Makes 2 cups.
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Homemade Chocolate Pudding Mix Ingredients:
* 3/4 cup powdered milk * 7/8 cup cornstarch, 1 cup minus 2 Tbsp. * 1 1/2 cup sugar * 3/4 cup cocoa powder * 1/4 tsp. salt, rounded
Directions:
Combine all the dry ingredients and store in an airtight container. The mix fits in a quart jar. To prepare:
Add 2/3 cup mix to a saucepan. Add 2 cups milk and stir until blended. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer while stirring constantly until thickened. Cool and serve.
Combine all the dry ingredients and store in an airtight container. The mix fits in a quart jar. To prepare:
Add 1/2 cup mix to a saucepan. Add 2 cups milk and stir until blended. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer while stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Cool and serve.
Variations: Leave out the nutmeg and substitute your choice of extract: Almond, Banana, Lemon, Maple or Pineapple or other flavor that you like.
Serving Size : 32
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Instant Oatmeal Packets
Check the cereal aisle for more flavor ideas. The possibilities are endless! Ingredients
Put 1/2 cup oats in a blender and whirl at high speed until powdery; reserve in a small bowl and repeat procedure with an additional 1/2 cup oats. If you're using a food processor, powder the 1 cup of oats in one motion. Into each sandwich bag put 1/4 cup un-powdered oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and a scant 1/4 teaspoon salt. Store in a box or airtight container.
To serve: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water; stir and let stand for 2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal, use less water; for thinner, use more water. (I microwave for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 minutes or until done on high)
Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. sugar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 2 Tbsp. chopped dried apples.
Cinnamon-Spice Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. sugar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and a scant 1/8 tsp. nutmeg.
Fruit and Cream: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. dry milk and 2 Tbsp. dried fruit or fresh fruit after cooking or jam.
Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. packed brown sugar and 1 Tbsp. raisins.
Sweetened Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. sugar
Wheat Germ Oatmeal: To each packet add 2 Tbsp. any kind of wheat germ
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Make Your Own Cake Mix
* 8 cups all-purpose flour * 6 cups granulated sugar * 1/4 cup baking powder * 1 1/2 tsp. salt * 1 lb. can vegetable shortening (2 1/4 cups)
Directions
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening with 2 knives or pastry blender until the consistency of corn meal. Mix well and put in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator, if you have the space. Use within 10 to 12 weeks. Makes about 16 cups Plain Cake:
Stir ingredients for plain cake until well blended. Pour into 8-inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes. For a 9 x 13-inch pan or layer cakes, double the ingredients.
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Making Mock Condensed Milk (like Eagle Brand)
With the holidays coming sooner than we think, it is time to make those delicious recipes that call for Eagle Brand condensed milk. But it is really expensive to buy. So make your own with this simple recipe. I guarantee it works as well as the real thing!
Mock Condensed Milk
Mix together in your blender: 2 1/4 cups Milk Powder, 1/4 cup warm water, and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Pour into covered container and refrigerate until cold and thick. This amount is equal to 1 can Eagle Brand.
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Creamsicle Drink Mix
1 part orange-flavored instant drink mix (Tang) 1 part powdered milk 2 parts instant vanilla pudding
To use, stir 2 tablespoons of Creamsicle Drink Mix into 1 cup of cold water.
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Gatorade Sport Drink Mixes
10 tbs. sugar (5/8 cups or 120 grams) 3/4 tsp Morton Lite salt (4.2 grams) 1 package of unsweetened Coolade mix for flavor (ie ... Koolaid or similar store brand) Water to make 2 liters
The recipe will give a total of 124 grams of solute which in 2 liters water gives a total of 6.2% concentration. For an 8 oz serving this gives: 14.2 grams carbohydrate (6%) 53 calories 103 mg Sodium 121 mg Potassium
You'll notice that the amount of potassium is quite a bit higher than Gatorade, but the rest is pretty close. If you wanted to reduce the potassium, another option would be to use 1/2 tsp. each of regular salt and the Morton Lite Salt. This would change it to: 104mg sodium 40mg potassium
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Brown Sugar
2 tablespoon molasses 1 cup granulated sugar
Add molasses to sugar and stir with a fork. Store brown sugar in an airtight container to keep it soft.
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Ketchup Yield: 2 1/2 cups
1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste 1/2 cup vinegar 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon oregano 1/8 teaspoon cumin 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon mustard
Combine ingredients and store in refrigerator.
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Heinz Ketchup
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste 1/2 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup water 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until smooth. When mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. Remove pan from heat and cover until cool. Chill and store in a covered container.
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Confectioners' Sugar
1 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Blend sugar on highest speed of blender for two minutes. Add cornstarch to keep from packing. Store in an airtight container.
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar or container. Use in favorite pickle recipes. Yield: 1/3 Cup
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Homemade tortilla chips
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Cut each tortilla you want to bake into 8 triangles. Spread the triangles on a foil-covered baking tray, making sure none of the triangles touch or overlap with each other. Spray the triangles lightly with olive or vegetable oil, then salt to taste. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pan once half-way through baking, then let sit for 5 minutes so the chips can harden before serving.
Two tortillas make 16 chips, or one serving. You can bake your homemade tortilla chips fresh, or do a large batch at once, and store them in an airtight container. If you bake chips as you go, be sure to store unused tortillas in an airtight container as well. The homemade tortilla chips will keep for 4-5 days.
Doing the math
For families who are used to buying one bag of tortilla chips weekly, switching from that $4 bag to this simple $1 recipe can save them up to $156 a year on their grocery bills. Plus, your homemade tortilla chips are healthier for you, without all the added preservatives that keep chips fresh on the grocery shelf. And there's hardly any broken chips to contend with!
84 degrees out already. The heat index today is supposed to be somewhere between 100 to 110.
My internet and home phone is not working or runs REALLY slow. Don't know what the problem is. I don't know if it is the cable company or the modems.
I think I will work on getting my one wooden shelf hung in the kitchen today. With Tony having the pager on call and them running the guys at work like crazy working over some, it has been delayed. Might get some laundry done also. It should take no time today to dry clothes on the line. But first I have to wait for some ibuprofen to kick in as my back is stiff this morning again. Need to have time to work out the kinks.
I've got the air condition set on 76-77. You would think that wouldn't feel nice in here but once you step outside in what feels like 100+, then step back inside, it feels great!
I might make some zucchini bread sometime soon in the crock. I still have a lot leftover of the huge zucchini that my friend gave me. Don't want to waste it!
Well I'm off here to get the kitchen tidied up and go tear wires and modems apart to see if I can figure out why we don't have internet or phone. I have no clue when it comes to this stuff so ain't looking forward to it!!
Kitchen, slowly but surely coming together.
Remember what it looked like before? This has got to make my life easier having more shelves!
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12:00PM
According to the weather channel it is 90 degrees out and feel like 100!!! It's only noon so we'll see how hot it will get this afternoon. Whew!
Tucked inside a darkened house today to stay cool. Told the kids not to go outside today and play. Jonathan thought he would just go outside and play in the shade. Let's just say that didn't last too long!
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With my internet being down and getting behind with posts I wanted to show pics of the car coming home yesterday.
This is a project car and is in no way perfect. I think the first thing we will work on is getting a wiring harness and try to rewire the whole electrical system. Doesn't that sound like fun??? It looks like someone rewired something and many wires are running everywhere under the hood. Some connected and some not. I'd feel safer if we put in all new!
Me and Jonathan gave it a bath soon after it's arrival. Needed to get the grime off the paint. One step in helping preserve it. The other is having a roof over it. Keeps out most weather and sun which can cause dry rot.
This car will be a project the whole family can come together and do. This teaches the kids how to work together. They learn to work on cars in the process and how to take care of them. Then one day it can belong to them and is something they can look forward to if they help take care of it.
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2:00PM
Just returned from Tony's work. All I got to say is that it is FREAKIN' hot out there!! Tony asked if I wanted to stop at a few yard sales on the way back home. I said just keep going home! I don't know why it is, but it seems like there is more yard sales the hotter it is.
Weather channel says 92 degrees but the heat index is 102!!!!!
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3:00PM
Pulled some things out of the freezer to start thawing out. Here's a few things I will be making in the next couple of days:
1. Cheeseburger Potato Soup * I don't have sour cream or onions but I do have French Onion dip that I will use in place of those two things.
Here's a tip for picky eaters that I found in it's reviews:
I use my food process to chop the onions, carrots and celery small to hide them from picky eaters. I don't thicken with the butter and flour, I just use instant potato flakes which uses less fat and is easier. Flavor is the same.
It's a great recipe for freezing
2. Chicken Cordon Bleu Not sure how I am making this. I have swiss cheese, bacon and chicken leg quarters.
3. Maple Crock Pot Salmon
INGREDIENTS
* 4 Fresh Atlantic Salmon portions * 1/4 cup maple syrup * 1 clove garlic, minced * 1/4 tsp. garlic salt * 1/8 tsp. ground pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. Mix the maple syrup, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper. 2. Place salmon portions in a shallow dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon portions in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning over at 15 minutes. 3. Drain the salmon steaks and discard used marinade. 4. Wrap in tin foil packets 5. Put into crock pot. See recipe from yesterday for Crock Pot Fish
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4:40PM
Supper in the making for tomorrow.
Crock #1 Got chicken leg quarters skinned then wrapped in bacon put in the crock pot. I used little round tins saved from pot pies in the bottom of the crock pot to put the chicken on.
Crock #2 Got a chocolate zucchini bread in another crock.
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From: Examiner.com
Almost KFC Coleslaw
This is the best coleslaw we have ever had. The flavors blend and intensify with time, so if possible, make this the day before you plan on eating it.
Ingredients:
8 cups very finely chopped green cabbage (1 head) 1/4 cup shredded carrot (1 medium carrot) 1/2 cup mayonnaise OR 1/2 cup sour cream 1/3 cup granulated white sugar 1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup buttermilk* 2-1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1-1/2 Tbsp. white vinegar 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper
Directions:
Be sure that the cabbage and carrots are chopped up into very fine pieces. Place in a large bowl. In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise or sour cream, sugar, milk, buttermilk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper; beat until smooth. Pour over cabbage mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Rachael's Recipe Notes: For a buttermilk substitution, mix 1/2 tsp. white vinegar and enough milk to make 1/4 cup. Let stand for 5 minutes before using. I use a commercial slaw mixture instead of cutting up cabbage and carrots myself. It saved me a bit of time, but feel free to start from scratch. Also, I replaced the salt with celery salt.
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Almost KFC chicken
Ingredients:
16 pieces of chicken (4 legs, 4 thighs, 4 wings, 4 breasts), skin on, bone in (I prefer 8 chicken breast halves, boneless & skinless) 2 envelopes Italian Salad Dressing Mix , divided 2 Tbsp. hot pepper sauce (like Frank's) 1-1/2 to 2 cups all-purpose flour 3-1/2 to 4 cups oil, divided
Directions:
Place chicken in shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. of the salad dressing mix and hot pepper sauce; turn to coat. Cover. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to marinate. Mix flour and remaining salad dressing mix in plastic bag. Shake 1 chicken piece at a time to coat. Heat 2 cups of oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add 8 pieces of chicken; brown on all sides. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 20 to 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Repeat from oil step through cooking step with remaining chicken. YIELD: 16 pieces (depending on appetites 4 to 8 servings)
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It's been several months since my family and I have been to KFC (formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken). The last time we went we spent close to $50 for 4 people for dinner. OUCH! $50 for chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy and coleslaw? $50 is about half my grocery budget for one week. I vowed never again! Not only did it cost us an outrageous amount of money, but none of us felt very well after wards.
If only I had just taken a little extra time in my menu planning that week, we could have had our own version (aka Copycat version) of KFC for about $10, and not felt poorly (or poor!) afterward.
Round out your at home KFC experience with Almost KFC coleslaw and Almost KFC chicken.
Almost KFC Buttermilk Biscuits
Ingredients:
3 cups self-rising*** 2 Tbsp. baking powder 3/4 cup buttermilk**** 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup vegetable shortening
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375*F. In a large bowl blend together the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in the shortening using two knives or a pastry tool. Add milk and mix well. Turn out onto a floured surface (mix a bit of baking powder with the flour). Knead a bit to pick up the flour until dough is slightly stiff. Roll or pat out into a 9x5 rectangle and use a 3-inch round cookie cutter (or water glass) to cut biscuits out. Place in an 8x8-inch round cake pan or 8x8-inch square baking dish (the biscuits will touch) that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Makes about 12
Rachael's Recipe Notes:
***If you don't have self-rising flour, use all-purpose flour with an extra 1 Tbsp. of baking powder and an extra 1 tsp. of baking soda. ****You can use 3/4 cup regular milk with 1 Tbsp. of white vinegar in place of the buttermilk.
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Just got notice that my friends will be on Wall To Wall Sports tonight so be sure to check it out!! This is their second time on there!
Join Dom Tiberi and Dan Fronczak for Wall to Wall Sports, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:35 p.m. only on 10TV.
Would you like to sign up to be on Wall to Wall Sports?
With the temps being so hot out I have spent my afternoon/evening cleaning my kitchen top to bottom. Doesn't look like my same kitchen. I'm sure you would agree Kendra/Dewaine, I know you saw what it looked like when I had it wiped out the other day weeding and wiping it out, LOL! You couldn't see the floor or countertops. But that's how I clean. It gets messy before it gets a total cleaning.
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I tried some of my crock pot chicken, YUMMY! It does taste a little like a rotisserie chicken.
To make it Cordon Bleu I melted some swiss cheese on top then poured a lil bacon ranch dressing on top. Everyone loved it! Jonathan said, Man this stuff is GOOOOD!" This recipe will be a keeper for sure! Normally Cordon Bleu is chicken breast stuffed with swiss cheese and bacon. Can't afford chicken breast around here so used chicken leg quarters instead. Tasted just as good!
And here's my Chocolate Zucchini Bread I didn't have oil so used some cinnamon applesauce in it's place. I didn't add sugar and instead used a large box of sugar-free pudding. I sprinkled some brown sugar on top along with some semi- sweet chocolate chips. I did all this to reduce sugar and fat.
Both kids ate it and liked it. I did not dare tell them it had zucchini in it or they probably wouldn't have touched it with a 10 foot pole.
I almost screwed up and asked them if they tried the zucchini bread. Christopher was like, IT HAS ZUCCHINI IN IT! I said, I meant to say chocolate pudding cake not zucchini bread. LOL
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I ran across this website for a book called DINNER IS IN THE JAR. Of course I don't have money to buy the book and I cannot locate it at the library. But it is an idea to think about doing. I'm sure I could google something and find some jar mixes. If I do I'll be sure to keep a list of recipe that I find :0)
Not sure about going to garage sales this morning. I saw on the news that the heat index could get up to 105 degrees today. So will sit here and await the arrival of the tow truck. Have no idea, other than this morning, of when it's coming.
One of the things I look for when buying an old car is that it has most of it's pieces and parts. Meaning it has all it's trim, molding, paneling, emblems, knobs and items of that sort. All those pieces start adding up if missing. This will not be an overnight project but will probably take many years to put together. It will also need completely sanded down and repainted. It does have a few rust spots on the top where a vinyl top was. Other than that the rust is minimal.
I'm just taking notes about some prices of a few decorative things this car needs. I like to get ideas of what things will cost in the future. When we go to swap meets this is something to keep in mind when wheelin' and dealin'. Know what it sells for and know who is price gouging!
It's taken me 11 years to learn about Trans Ams and now I am starting from scratch learning about this car that I absolutely know nothing about! So every now and then you will see me take notes about it so I can learn.
These are the only decorative pieces I know it needs at the moment. Hub caps are iffy if we go with another rim then it won't be needed. But if we go original then it will.
These items are not something I am getting at the moment. Like I said it could take years to put together and acquire parts for. Can't afford to do it all at once so will do a little bit each year.
$70+shipping Ebay set of 4 hubcaps
$4.50+shipping Ebay charger stick on emblem
$200+shipping Ebay charger hood ornament
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9-9:30AM
Decided to clean up the carport area and sweep the entire driveway. For being early in the morning it sure is hot as heck out there. I shouldn't be sweating this much this early!
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SCHOOL SUPPLY DEALS
BIG LOTS
70 sheet spiral notebooks 10 for $1.00 limit 10
10 pack glue sticks $1.00
10 pack folders $1.00
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HINTS AND TIPS
Frozen Storage Solution
I found one more good use for the abundance of old tube socks left over from when I had teens in the house. I use pint-sized glass jars for freezer storage instead of plastic, but without some kind of protection around the jar, they are easily broken and can make a big mess. I cut up the old, but clean tube sock and slip a jar into it before filling. I cut the sock short enough so it doesn't cover the lid. I then put my label on the lid. While thawing, I leave the jar in the sock. H.
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homemade Magic Eraser Take a bowl and pour in some arm and hammer baking soda then pour a little white vinegar over it -- it will foam up and just make a paste with it = use it on the spots just like magic eraser using a wash cloth. As your paste gets too dry - add a bit more vinegar.
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CROCKPOT RECIPES
I love my crockpot during the Summer months! It beats having to heat up the house by turning the oven on!
To satisfy our rotisserie chicken cravings, I threw a whole chicken in the crockpot last night covered in an awesome seasoning blend. I also took off all of the chicken skin. The result? A moist, delicious rotisserie-want-to-be with virtually no fat.
The Ingredients
--1 whole chicken, skinned (4-5 pounds) --2 tsp kosher salt (if you'd like it as salty as the ones in the store, add another 1 tsp.) --1 tsp paprika --1 tsp onion powder --1/2 tsp dried thyme --1 tsp Italian seasoning --1/2 tsp cayenne pepper --1/2 tsp black pepper --pinch of chili pepper (probably not necessary)
I used a 6 quart crockpot for a 5 pound bird. It fit nicely.
Skin the chicken and get rid of the neck and other stuff from the cavity. This takes a while, and is gross. Keep small children away so you don't freak out about salmonella. I skin whole chickens because I hate the idea of the chicken fat simmering all day in the crock---it also looks disgusting when the chicken is cooked because it's all slimy and icky.
I get it that I'm weird. If chicken skin makes you happy, then by all means, ignore me.
In a bowl, combine all of dried spices. Rub the spice mixture all over the bird, inside and out. Plop the bird breast-side down into the crockpot.
If desired, shove 4 whole garlic cloves and a quartered onion inside the bird.
Do not add water.
Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8. The meat is done when it is fully cooked and has reached desired tenderness. The longer you cook it, the more tender the meat.
The Verdict.
Very tasty. I used 2tsp of kosher salt, and the meat was no where near as salty as a store-bought rotisserie chicken. I was surprised at how not-spicy the meat was (even the part coated in the mix) although I added a bunch of pepper. We were pleased with the flavor, and the kids ate their portions without saying anything---which is always good.
TIP: TO get a better "roast effect" either make several foil balls or wrap several potatoes in foil, place them in the crock pot, put the chicken on top of the foil - cook as usual...
I love making fish in the crockpot. I love making pretty much anything in the crockpot, but the ease of making fish is just so wonderful, I'm surprised everyone doesn't cook fish this way. It's easy. It's moist and flavorful. It doesn't heat up the house on a hot day. it doesn't stink up the kitchen. and clean up is practically non-existent.
Ingredients:
-- 3 or 4 filets of Tilapia (or other favorite white fish) --1/4 cup mayonnaise --1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used cheddar. I've made it before with Parmesan and it was amazing. If I was planning a trip to the store specifically to get ingredients for this dish I would pick Parmesan.) --juice of 2 lemons --4 chopped garlic cloves --pinch each of salt and black pepper
The Directions:
--mix all ingredients (except for the fish. definitely not the fish.) in a bowl
--lay out a piece of foil
--rub sauce mixture on both sides of fish
--fold foil over and make a little packet for the fish
--put all the packets into the crockpot
--cook on LOW for 2-4 hours; fish should flake easily with a fork
PLEASE take care when taking the packet out of the crockpot and when opening it. It will be hot.
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Crockpot French Toast Bake
French toast! In the crockpot! While you sleep!
Life has just gotten even better.
Heather emailed me a french toast recipe that she has made a few times in the crockpot successfully. She points out that since she lives in Las Vegas, turning on the oven in 100-degree-weather is just not going to happen.
The Ingredients.
I used a 6 qt Smart-Pot Crock-Pot for this. I'd recommend a 5 or 6qt for this dish. If you have a smaller crockpot, scale back a bit. Maybe only use 1/2 a loaf of bread.
Grease the inside of your crockpot very well with butter, shortening, or cooking spray. Slice your bread into large slices (if it's already sliced, just dump it in) and place the bread into the crockpot.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla together. Pour on top of the bread.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. This is done when the bread has soaked up all of the liquid and the egg has cooked (you can tell because you'll see bits of cooked egg stuck to the bread). The bread will expand---it's like one of those spongy foam things that come in the capsules and turn into a dinosaur. Very cool.
After 8 hours, I had a bit of liquid left in the crockpot, but the bread on top was browned nicely and the egg was done. I took the lid off and went hunting for the camera, and then checked email, and then watered the garden. 30 minutes had passed before I remembered that I had left the lid off of the crockpot, and that it was still plugged in. BUT! all the moisture was gone and the french toast was perfect.
I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this freakin tow truck to get here. Tony called once about 2 hours ago and said the tow truck driver said he just got to the car. Said he got the street wrong. Went to 3rd St. instead of Church St. Don't we carry a notepad to write things down??? 2 hours goes by and I'm starting to wonder where he's at. Tony calls him back. The tow truck driver said he just got to the car and was putting it on the truck. HELLOOOOooo!! That's what he said 2 hours ago!! Then he had to get our address again because he forgot it. AHHHHHHH! Get a freakin pad of paper to write things on!!! So I am still sitting and waiting and waiting and waiting and getting flustered wasting my day away. So much for it being here this morning, huh.
Whew, don't know what it is this morning but my stomach doesn't feel the greatest. Keep having to run to the potty. Maybe it's something I ate or maybe it's from stress.
Today I hope to start working on hanging my shelves. Don't have anyone coming over to do fencing nor do I have anywhere to go this morning or afternoon. But later on this evening will be making a trip to Newark to pay for the charger and have our friend roll back it home.
Will have to probably wait for Tony to help me with putting up the wooden shelf. We bought some hollow wall anchors to hang it up with because we cannot find studs in the one kitchen wall! So think I will get started soon with hanging the wired shelves in the basement stairwell. First need to swig some Pepto!
Here is a before picture of the basement stairwell. The big open area is where my other wooden shelf was located.
Next project would be to hang a metal towel bar on the opposite wall across from this. Because I don't use many paper towels I need a place to hang my wet cleaning rags.
10:50AM
Here are my shelves rearranged and more put up. I ended up with more storage in my basement stairwell and will have more storage in my kitchen. So far it's all working out as planned. Total spent for 8 shelves $5.00! Ok now time to put stuff on them.
My horoscope for today.
The Moon clashes with Saturn today, bringing tension to the surface. You may feel personally threatened by what is going on around you.
Hmmmm, this seems to describe me feeling worried about spending money on a couple big items at the moment.
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12:15PM
Still working on finding my kitchen. It looks like I am just moving in with boxes and baskets of stuff sitting on the floor trying to relocate and find a place for everything.
I have many spices that I had on storage shelves, stove and in a drawer. I can finally now put them all in one place. These shelves with store baking items and cleaning supplies. When there are many move outs during college graduation time, we find tons of cleaning supplies. I very rarely have to buy any. So I usually get a bunch at once from people throwing them away and need a place to store it. This will last me for about a year then.
This is where my towel bar will go. Was in Zettler's last night and didn't think to get the screws at the time to hang this up.
Above my towel bar I will start putting my seeds I have saved from the garden. I have them in labeled plastic zip bags and push pinned to the wall. Perfect place to put them with less humidity and light.
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1:30PM
Still in the kitchen trying to figure out things and get things put away.
I did prop my one wooden shelf up to see what it would look like. For what I need, it works perfect. Perfect to put pop bottles on, store cereal and other boxes, cans and bread.
It does not stick out past the pass through window which is something I wanted.
Just had a thought and will act upon it next. The wood that I added up top for mounting looks too dark and sticks out like a sore thumb. I got some leftover paint I used on the walls and will paint that piece to look like part of the wall.
This shelf has been with me the last 15-16 years. I designed it and mom had it built for me. There used to be another cross shelf where you see the pop sitting. Lost that when I hit the shelf into the carport when moving. It's been with me through 11 moves!
I have moved at least 16 times that I can think of in the past 22 years!! I am so glad now to have a house and grow roots!!
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2:15PM
And wallah, I fixed the problem with a couple coats of paint on the shelf. Now it seems to blend in with the wall!
Went to Newark this evening and of course it poured down rain on the way there. The guy that was supposed to of towed the car home tonight conveniently forgot about it. Grrrr. Anyway he's supposed to go get it tomorrow and bring it here. But we got the title to it, it's notarized, and it's officially ours.
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Hey lookie I found another 1974 Dodge Charger in Newark. This one is $6000! I like what we paid for ours! Ours needs some work but I can deal with that.
My name is Sherry, 39yrs old, from Columbus, Ohio. I am married, a SAHM, and have 3 children ages 9, 10 and 20.
I have been frugal/thrifty all my life.
I would like to share on this blog how we get by day to day on one income with a family of 5 with a dog and a cat. You will also hear about my everyday gripes about daily life and the cost of living. Hubby says my favorite saying is, "and that is another thing that pisses me off!"
