4-27-10

So far I don't have much planned for today
other than maybe a trip to Kroger to
get some pop and things to make some
pizza dough in the bread machine.

I might also stop by the library
to pick up a reserve that came in.

My body still aches so it's slow moving.
Still have one more tray of seeds to plant.
Good thing I have the greenhouse as
they are calling for possible freeze warnings.
It stays pretty warm in there and it currently
looks like a steam house with condensation
all over the sides.

Well time to get the kids motivated and
ready for school. At least the sun
is trying to poke through the clouds.
That always makes for a better day
when you have a lil sunshine.

___________________________________________________

MONEY SAVING TIP

Buy store brand and compare weight or serving sizes.

Today I needed some yeast to make bread or
pizza dough. I saw some in small packages
and also saw some in jars. I wanted to know
what was the best deal so started comparing.

Kroger 3 pack of yeast on sale for $1.50
3 packs combined equals 7.5 teaspoons
6 packs combined equals 15 teaspoons for $3.00

4 ounce jar of Kroger bread machine yeast $2.59
this is equal to 46.5 teaspoons and is the better deal!

Fleischman's yeast for a 4 ounce jar of
bread machine yeast was $7.99!!!

So if you can, buy store brand to save money.

___________________________________________________

Getting some plants in the greenhouse.
While it is chilly outside in the 50's,
it sure felt good going in the greenhouse
where it was much warmer.
I got the second tray of 72 count seedlings started.
I got some flowers started also,
Flying Saucer Morning Glories, to put
up on the iron panels along the driveway.
I would like to get more flower seeds,
love the Zinnia's as they last such
a long time. And maybe try growing
some wave petunias for the flower baskets.


Flying Saucer Morning Glories.
They get up to 6" across.


Wave Petunias



ZINNIA
These are easy to grow and tolerate heat and drought!




My greenhouse







___________________________________________________

TONIGHT'S SUPPER

Smoked Sausage Teriyaki Stir Fry
I added in these extras:
1 ramen noodles without seasoning packet
2 large fresh mushroom sliced




__________________________________________________

5:40pm

Just pulled the pizza crust dough from
the bread machine and all looks well.

My first home made pizza dough
that didn't come from a can or pouch!

I tried to figure cost to make:
.10 cents for 2 teaspoons yeast
1.25 cups water
.02 cents 1 T oil
.01 cent 1 tsp salt
.08 cents a cup x's 4 is .32 cents for flour
(my flour was a manager special price)

So total price for 2 crusts about .45 cents
or .22 cents each!!

Now compare that to Pillsbury canned
crust at about $2-$3 for 1 crust!!



Now I want to put all the chicken breasts
in the crock. I like to cook bulk meat
all at once. Then use or freeze it.
Makes fixing supper go lots quicker
when the meat has already been cooked.

Might do chicken & bacon pizza tomorrow
night with fresh sliced mushroom.

.45 cents for 2 pizza crusts
.20 cents spaghetti sauce
.50 cents 4 large fresh mushrooms
.90 cents 1/2 pound bacon
$1.50 2 cups shredded cheese
.50 cents cut up chicken breasts about 1/2 pound

TOTAL COST FOR 2 HOMEMADE PIZZAS with 3 toppings $4.05
or $2.02 a pizza

Pizza Hut or Papa Johns wants $10 a pizza with their sales.
Frozen Kroger Rising Crust pizza is about $5 each


___________________________________________________

A few more easy and money saving recipes.

GRAPE JUICE JELLY

* 3 cups grape juice (Prepared from frozen concentrate is fine)
* 1 package powdered pectin
* 4 cups sugar

In a large saucepan combine the prepared grape juice and the powdered pectin. Stir it up to eliminate all of the lumps. Bring the mixture to a full boil over medium heat, stirring some as necessary. Add the sugar and return the mixture to a boil. Boil for a full minute and remove from heat. Ladle the jelly into clean sterilized jars and seal with bands and lids. Process in a boiling water bath for about 10 minutes to seal. Remove the jars and allow to cool before storing on the pantry shelf. Makes about 5 cups.

Usually when I make this recipe I use juice I have prepared from frozen concentrate, diluting it with 3 cans of water, according to the package directions. When the jelly is done, I ladle it into a clean quart size jar, and a clean pint size jar. Then I put both into the fridge for storage. We go through it pretty quickly for PB&J sandwiches, and breakfast toast so it's a poor use of my time to process and seal the containers, when I can store them in the fridge just as easily. When I make this recipe for gift giving in the winter, I do process the jars, so they will keep on the recipient's shelf for as long as a year.

--------------------------------------------------

SEASONED TOMATO SAUCE
for spaghetti, pizza sauce, etc

* 2 tablespoons oil
* 2 tablespoons dry onion
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 12 oz can tomato paste
* 2 cans filled with water
* 1 teaspoon basil
* 1/4 teaspoon oregano (optional)
* 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
* 1 teaspoon salt

This sauce is so easy, so cheap and so good, you won’t believe it. Heat the oil in a 2 quart size saucepan. Add the dried onion and garlic. Stir the onion and garlic around in the oil for about 30 seconds, or until they start to smell good. Add the tomato paste. Now fill the empty can with fresh water and add it to the pot. Do it again, so two cans of water have been added. Stir it all up until the sauce is smooth and thick. Add the seasonings. Cover and simmer for about 5 or 10 minutes depending on your time and fuel situation. After the flavors have mingled long enough to know each other better, you are done.

The uses for this sauce are endless. I use it anywhere I would usually use canned or jarred spaghetti sauce. For instance, on spaghetti, as the sauce for pizza, over leftover grains, in lasagna etc. This is a very versatile marianara sauce. If desired it can be prepared ahead of time, and refrigerated until needed. It keeps in the fridge for a week. For variety you can add a can of mushrooms, a spoonful of dry celery or green pepper, and even a can of chopped tomatoes or zucchini in tomato sauce, for chunky goodness. Use your imagination, this recipe is really just a starting point. Where you go with it, is up to you.

--------------------------------------------------

RANCH DRESSING

* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1 cup buttermilk or yogurt (dry buttermilk is fine)
* 2 teaspoons parsley
* 1 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* Dash of dill weed
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Get out a medium sized bowl. Measure the mayonnaise into it. Gradually whisk in the buttermilk or yogurt. If you use powdered buttermilk, whisk in the powder first, and then slowly add a cup of water. Then add the seasonings. Whisk again. Or you can make it in the blender by putting everything into the blender and whirling until smooth. The mixture will be a little thin, but it will thicken on standing. Store in a pint size jar, makes 2-cups. Keep in the refrigerator for a few weeks. Tastes really good with yogurt by the way. This is my favorite way of making it. It tastes good with powdered buttermilk too, but the consistency is thinner than with yogurt.

Note: If desired, you may add a tablespoon of Parmesan Cheese and/or a tablespoon of lemon juice to the dressing in addition to the seasonings above.

---------------------------------------------------

CHOCOLATE SYRUP

* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
* 1 cup tap water
* 2 cups sugar
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Find a 2 quart saucepan. In it, mix the cocoa and water with a wire whisk or fork. Heat the chocolate water over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar and continue to stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and boil for a full 3 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat.

Add the salt and vanilla, stirring to blend. Pour the syrup into a clean pint sized canning jar, or a clean catsup container. Put a good lid on the jar and store it in the fridge.

Use this chocolate syrup to make chocolate milk, or serve it over ice-cream. This is remarkably similar to Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup in the can.

---------------------------------------------------

TARTER SAUCE

* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup sweet pickles, chopped
* 2 tablespoons chopped onion
* 2 tablespoons pickle juice


Mix everything together and serve with fish. Makes about 1-1/3 cups.

---------------------------------------------------

and here is the recipe I am making
in the bread machine now for pizza crust.
I don't have what's called a dough cycle.
Mine says pizza dough.

I don't buy pizza sauce.
I use a can of tomato soup
or I buy a $1.00 jar of spaghetti sauce.
Any leftover sauce goes into another meal.

* 1-1/4 cups water (plus 1 or 2 more tablespoons if necessary)
* 3 tablespoons olive or other vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 4 cups bread flour or all purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Measure the ingredients into the bread pan in the order listed. Make a well in the flour and sprinkle the yeast into it. Set the machine to it’s Dough Cycle. After the dough has mixed a few minutes add a spoonful or two of water if the dough seems very dry. On my machine the Dough Cycle lasts 1-1/2 hours. The dough will be risen and puffy in the bread pan when it is done kneading and rising. Punch it down (with out hurting your fist on the paddle); and remove it from the pan. Knead it a few times to get it deflated properly. Divide the dough in half. Divide the dough in half. Let the dough halves rest for about 10 minutes to relax the gluten, making it easier to roll out. Press the dough into 2 - 14″ or 16″ pizza pans. I oil the pans a little first, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to.

Top the dough with your favorite sauce and pizza toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes. Cut each pan into 12 slices of pizza. Serve hot.

4-26-10

Yucky, rainy weather today!
My body hurts from shoveling manure
in the garden yesterday!

In a couple days when the rain lets
up then I'll be back in the garden
again stringing twine and marking
a grid for plants later on.
Right now I am trying to get an
idea of what to plant and where
with companion planting.
While some plants get along with
other plants there are some you
don't want to plant near them.
Was going to stop at the library
and see about getting some books
on it but I guess they don't open
til 10am. So for now I'll just find
and reserve some books online that are
available. These should be ready
for pick up in 3-5 days. It's
hard finding gardening books this
time of year as they have all been
checked out or have a reserve list.
***The worst books to try and reserve right now
is Square Foot Gardening. They can have anywhere
from 15 to 22 people on the waiting list!!!

__________________________________________________

I got one tray of 72 plants planted.
That was all I could handle for now.
I have carpal tunnel and dealing with
tiny seeds makes my hands go numb.



__________________________________________________

11:30am

Working on getting some lunch in my belly
and getting a menu done up for the week.
Total cost for 7 supper meals $22.42.
Here's what I have planned:

1. Chicken Parmesan
-breaded chicken patty topped with cheese
and served with spaghetti & sauce.
PLUS 3 Bowl cakes.
Now up to 7 Bowl Cakes out of one cake mix.
Still have more cake mix left.



$1.67 breaded chicken patties
$1.20 Spaghetti Sauce
.50 cents Spaghetti
.25 cents Velveeta Cheese
-----------
TOTAL $3.62
SERVES 6 @ .60 cents a serving

2. Teriyaki Stir Fry with Smoked Sausage
-noodles, broccoli, sugar snap peas, mushrooms,
baby cob corn & red bell peppers.

$4.00 bag of stir fry vegetables, noodles & sauce
.75 cents 2 smoked sausages
-----------
TOTAL $4.75
SERVES 6 @ .79 cents a serving

3. Sweet & Sour Chicken
-Rice with pineapple, red bell peppers & chicken
in a sweet & sour sauce.

$1.00 box of La Choy Sweet & Sour Chicken Meal
$1.00 1/2 chicken breast
----------
TOTAL $2.00
SERVES 5 @ .40 cents a serving

4. Cream Chipped Beef over Mashed Potatoes

$1.00 2 packages chipped beef
.50 cents -flour,milk & butter to make sauce
.50 cents Velveeta Cheese
$1.00 boxed mashed potatoes
----------
TOTAL $3.00
SERVES 5 @ .60 cents a serving

5. Tuna & Noodles Creamy Parmesan with Bread & Butter

.50 cents Betty Crocker Creamy Parmesan Tuna Helper
free- box of spiral noodles
.50 can of cream of mushroom soup
$1.00 2 cans of tuna fish
.25 cents 5 slices of bread with butter
.25 cents Velveeta Cheese
.05 cents bread crumbs for topping
----------
TOTAL $2.55
SERVES 8 @ .31 cents a serving

6. Turkey with gravy & Stuffing & Corn

free Turkey- leftover in freezer
.50 cents Stuffing mix
.50 cents canned gravy
.50 cents frozen boxed corn
----------
TOTAL $1.50
SERVES 5 @ .30 cents a serving


7. Broccoli, Potato, Cheese & Sage Sausage Soup

$1.00 5 potatoes
.50 cents frozen boxed broccoli
.50 cents Velveeta cheese
.50 cents milk, butter & flour
$2.00 roll sausage
.50 cents cream of celery soup
-----------
TOTAL $5.00
SERVES 8 @ .62 cents a serving

___________________________________________________

I've been thinking about hauling out the
bread machine and making some pizza dough
for the freezer. Can make bread sticks,
sweet sticks or cinnapies.

You let the machine do the work with all the
kneading then remove before it goes into the
bake cycle.

BREAD MACHINE PIZZA DOUGH

Ingredients:

* 1 cup water
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* dash garlic powder
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 2 tablespoons softened butter
* 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

Preparation:
Add ingredients to the bread machine following manufacturer's suggested order. Choose the dough cycle and start.

When the dough is finished, turn out onto a floured surface. Roll out to fit your pizza pan (approximately 12 to 16 inches, depending on the size of the pan and thickness of crust). Fit into the pan and cover with a clean dish towel; let stand for about 10 to 15 minutes. Spread with sauce, toppings, and cheeses of your choice. Bake at 400° for about 25 minutes, or until nicely browned and cheese and toppings are melted and bubbly.







Other bread machine recipes

BREAD MACHINE PIZZA DOUGH

1 pizza dough


Ingredients

* 1 cup flat beer
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

Directions

1. Put beer, butter, sugar, salt, flour, and yeast in a bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough setting, and press Start.
2. Remove dough from bread machine when cycle is complete. Roll or press dough to cover a prepared pizza pan. Brush lightly with olive oil. Cover and let stand 15 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Spread sauce and toppings on top of dough. Bake until crust is lightly brown and crispy on the outside, about 24 minutes.

Amount Per Serving Calories: 262 | Total Fat: 4.4g | Cholesterol: 10mg
---------------------------------------------------

BREAD MACHINE BANANA NUT BREAD


Ingredients

* 1/2 cup margarine, softened (or applesauce)
* 2/3 cup milk
* 2 eggs
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup white sugar
* 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2/3 cup mashed bananas
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Spray bread machine pan with vegetable oil spray.
2. Premix ingredients in order listed. Place mixture in bread machine pan.
3. Select the Quick Bread/Cake cycle. Press Start. Check after 1 minute to see if mixture is well blended.
4. Cook until cake cycle stops. Remove pan, and cool completely before removing bread from pan.

Amount Per Serving Calories: 349 | Total Fat: 14.7g | Cholesterol: 44mg

---------------------------------------------------

BREAD MACHINE AMISH BREAD


Ingredients

* 2 3/4 cups bread flour
* 1/4 cup canola oil
* 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
* 1/4 cup white sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water

Directions

1. Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select White Bread cycle; press Start.
2. When the dough has raised once and second cycle of kneading begins, turn machine off. Reset by pressing Start once again. This gives the dough two full raising cycles before the final raising cycle prior to baking.

Amount Per Serving Calories: 172 | Total Fat: 5.2g | Cholesterol: 0mg

----------------------------------------------------

BREAD MACHINE SOFT GIANT PRETZELS

makes 8

Ingredients

* 1 1/8 cups water (70 to 80 degrees F)
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 3 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
* 2 quarts water
* 1/2 cup baking soda
* coarse salt

Directions

1. In bread machine pan, place the first four ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons water or flour if needed).
2. When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough into eight balls. Roll each into a 20-in. rope; form into pretzel shape. In a saucepan, bring water and baking soda to a boil. Drop pretzels into boiling water, two at a time; boil for 10-15 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.
3. Place pretzels on greased baking sheets. Bake at 425 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Spritz or lightly brush with water. Sprinkle with salt.

---------------------------------------------------

CINNAMON DESSERT PIZZA

* Pizza Dough:

use store-bought or homemade dough rolled out onto oiled pizza pan.

Streusel:

* 1 cup flour

* ½ cup light brown sugar, packed

* 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

* 6 tablespoons butter or margarine (NOT light!)

Sugar Glaze:

* 1 cup powdered sugar

* 1-2 tablespoons water or milk


Mix flour, sugar and cinnamon in bowl.

Dice up CHILLED butter/margarine and add to dry mix.

Mix with hands until you can form a sort of "snow ball" with mixture.

Crumble mixture, leaving crumbles big, and spread over pizza dough.

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes until dough bottom is golden.

Combine powdered sugar & milk to make a glaze. Drizzle glaze on cooked pizza when fresh from the oven.

Let sit for 5 minutes, then cut & serve warm.

---------------------------------------------------

BUTTERY BREAD MACHINE ROLLS

makes 24 rolls


Ingredients

* 1 cup warm milk (70 to 80 degrees F.)
* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 4 cups bread flour
* 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions

1.

In bread machine pan, put all ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer.
2.

Select dough setting.
3.

When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.
4.

Divide dough into 24 portions.
5.

Shape dough into balls.
6.

Place in a greased 13 inch by 9 inch baking pan.
7.

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.
8.

Bake at 375 degrees for 13-16 minutes or until golden brown.


___________________________________________________

Gone the whole day with clouds and rain.
5pm rolls around and we get the first ray
of sunshine. I'm hoping this crap
is moving out!



___________________________________________________

Money saving tip...

BARTERING

If you have specific talents or trades
and your friend or family have some
of their own, that's when you can work
a deal without paying money to trade
for others work for some of your own.

Here is an example which will help us out
a lot!

We have an ongoing transmission leak
on our Trans Am. Anything we do
to repair it does not stop the leak.

Transmission work is not cheap and
we all know that!

We have a friend, or Tony does,
that does transmission work and has
had his own transmission shop.
In return to fix the transmission leak
Tony will do drywall work for him.

Everyone saves money this way!

I'm am so glad they worked it out like
this because in my mind I saw hundreds of
dollars to fix this problem!!

___________________________________________________

Sitting here taking it easy. My whole
body is aching so bad! I am waiting for
some Ibuprofen to kick in.
My legs and arms hurt and now my back
feels it should join in with some spasms.
I wouldn't want it to feel neglected, grrr.

Everyone's outside and enjoying the little
bit of sun before it starts going down.
So I'm sitting here watching the squirrels
in the neighbors trees. They have made
a nest in a rotted out hole in one of the
branches. They are so cute to watch especially
in the morning. I think they all decided which
squirrel should go out of the nest first. He'll
run out and around the branch a few times then
return back to the hole. This goes on about
4-5 times before the rest start to peek their
heads out. It's like he told them the coast is
clear. Gotta watch out for that nasty hawk
that likes to visit the neighborhood!
You'll have to enlarge the pic in order to
see the squirrel by the hole.



Oh yeah I didn't tell ya I got the surround working.
It's only taken about a week!
I just started pressing buttons and connecting
and unplugging cables until something worked.
I sure as heck couldn't understand some of the
directions that's for sure. About like the
greenhouse. And do you think the surround would
come with some cables? Heck no, they need to make
even more money off ya by having you have to
go back to the store to buy them. HDMI cables
aren't cheap starting at $17 on up.



___________________________________________________

4-25-10

I think we started back in the garden this morning
about 10am. I got wooden planks put up around the
border to help keep the horse manure from washing
out during rains. About half way through of spreading
manure we could hear loud thunder in the distance.
So we were scooping pretty fast. It held off and
only sprinkled which felt so good! Any remaining
manure I threw in the one flower bed nearby.

I think I would like to get another load
of horse manure and instead of mulching out
front in the flower beds, use a load of
horse manure instead.

Now we are looking for the best deals
for some vegetable plants already
started in pots. I know at the flea
market on High St. there's usually
a guy that sells some but he hasn't
been there yet this year. That's where
I've bought ones before. But I would
like more variety of veggies this year
with such a big garden. I do also have some
seeds to start also as soon as I get the
green house put together.
I might do that while the NASCAR race is
on and Tony is watching it. Then we'll
head out to Walmart, Lowes and/or Home Depot.

Here is the results from today.






___________________________________________________

Just got done doing about 75% of putting Winter clothing
away and hanging Summer clothes up.
What a pain in the ass this chore is.
But what other choice do I have?
The closets are small and if I don't rotate
clothes will be laying everywhere.

Well rain has stopped for a bit.
Might head out to the driveway and put this
greenhouse together.

Geesh, it's been non stop today with trying to
get things done. I'm pooped already and it's
only 2pm.

__________________________________________________

3:45pm

I got the green house put together. I would
not allow it to kick my butt!!
Finished just in time again
as the rain was starting to fall
as I drove the last stake into the ground.
It's a walk in green house with shelves
built into one side. I have a wire baker's
rack that I want to put in there also
to put all my planting trays on.

Well the NASCAR race is winding down to the final
40 laps with everyone stopping into the pits.
Heading out soon after the race to see about
getting some plants and planting trays.





__________________________________________________

Sitting here checking the ads for vegetables.
I see Meijer has Homegrown Vegetables and Herb plants
a 6 pack for $4.99. That's .83 cents per plant.
So may have to check them out to see what varieties
they have.

I also see that Marc's has their flowers in.
$4.77 a 20 pack. Looks to be Petunias.
That's .23 cents for each one.

__________________________________________________

7:30pm

Just back from Meijers. We didn't go anywhere
else since we found everything we went looking
for there.

We found 4 packs of veggies for $1.19.
That's .29 cents per plant.
Here's what we got:

8 buttercrunch lettuce
4 broccoli
4 cauliflower
4 red acre cabbage
4 golden acre cabbage
4 la roma tomatoes
4 moby grape tomatoes
4 better boy tomatoes
4 beef master tomatoes
4 hungarian yellow wax peppers

44 total plants for $13.09

I also got 2 seedling trays
with 72 pots to grow seeds in.
144 total, for $12.00

Here's the other veggies we will
be growing from seeds @ .20 cents a packet.

-onion
-peas
-radish
-delicious tomato
-large red cherry tomato
-dill
-basil
-green onion
-cucumber
-wax bean
-jalapeno pepper
-bell peppers- grand bell mix
-green bell peppers

So far I have $27.60 invested in the garden
with plants, seeds, starter trays and manure.
I have three 55 gallon rain barrels so the water
will be free. People always wondering if doing
a garden is worth the time and money.
I am keeping track of all expenses.
Later on in the year we'll see what
we can get to produce and figure out the
costs compared if bought from a store.

I saw on the weather channel that in the
Eastern US temps will be below normal for the first
half of Summer. Then the second half will
be above normal. So that is something to consider
with gardening.

---------------------------------------------------

I don't usually buy fresh meat from Meijer's
because I think they are too expensive.
But because I needed some meat to make meals
with I found:
6.26 pounds of split chicken breast for $6.46.
($1.03 cents a pound for chicken breasts)

I usually don't serve the breast as a meal in
itself but cut it up into casseroles and such
to stretch it further.

I need to plan out the menu for this week.
Tony says we've been eating a lot of chicken.
Well ya know chicken is one of the cheapest
fresh meats you can buy.
I grew up on hamburger because it was inexpensive
but now that is more of a luxury.

To end this evening I need to throw in
a couple of loads of laundry, get the
kids in the shower and cleaned up for
school tomorrow, make
up a menu for this weeks meals and
lastly figure out a garden plan of
where things will get planted.

It's been a long weekend but I feel like
we got a lot accomplished in between rain drops.

4-24-10

Slow start this morning. Back ain't feeling
too swift. And of course it's raining.
Before the rain moved in we had a yard
full of birds feeding in the grass.
We saw this pretty Goldfinch.
We also get an occassional Hummingbird.
Last year we had a white Finch.




Got laundry to do and put away.
I hate when we are in between seasons
as that usually means we have Winter clothing
out along with Summer clothing.
You just never know what the weather will
be this time of year.
I have to rotate clothes according to season.
Summer clothing is stored in totes
under the beds in Winter.
Then when Summer rolls around
I put the Winter clothing in the totes
and hang all the Summer clothes in the closet.
But this time of year I have too many clothes
for the closet with both seasons out.
I think I'm just going to put the Winter
stuff away and if they get chilled with
short sleeved shirts they can throw a light
jacket on.

I'm getting ready to move the kids bedrooms
around yet again. It didn't work out
having them in one room when they each
have different sleeping habits. AHHHH!
Oh well I know not to do this again anytime
soon, putting the bunk beds together.

We've been trying on the clothes I got
yesterday at the church sale. And so far
the ONLY thing that won't fit is that
pullover towel for the bath. Won't fit
over the kids heads! Everything else fits
perfectly. That usually doesn't happen when
I buy clothes without them around!

___________________________________________________

Been busy this morning. Got the bunk beds tore apart
and put the other bed in the bedroom.
I didn't move my desk or shelf and don't know
if I will. Might leave in there for Christopher
to use the computer on and just store my
coupon and other items in the drawers and shelves.




I rounded up all my under bed totes to get them
ready to store Winter things like clothing,
coats and maybe hats, gloves and things like that.
I managed to get 4 totes under Christopher's bed.
Throw a blanket or dust ruffle over and you
won't be able to see where I made extra storage.



While I was moving beds around, Tony was out in the
garden area tearing apart the gazebo. I went
out and moved all the iron side pieces and sat
them along the driveway fence. We plan to cut
off the top posts of the panels to be even with
the fence then screw them into the fence.







Tony had the same idea as I did when he saw the fabric
I got from the church sale. Maybe recover the almost
white chair pads on the dining room chairs.
Here's a photo of the fabric sitting on a chair
to give you an idea of what it would look like.
It would go with the yellow walls and red couch.
And hopefully one day I'll get the wall below
the chair rail painted a red color.






__________________________________________________

Well the day is finally winding down. Just
got back from getting pizza.

We got the garden area tilled today.
Still have to throw down the horse manure.
We found a way to recycle the gazebo.
I already told ya what I was doing with
the side panels. Then we was wondering
what to do with all the other pieces of wood.
Tony had a good idea to use them as stakes
for a fence to put around the garden.











This should give you an idea of how big the garden will be.
It runs from the shed to the fence just
on the other side of the pine tree.



I had to dig up some lilies I had in the
garden area. I transplanted them into
the front yard. Eventually we'll get some
mulch for the flower beds.




After tilling I drug
out the walk-in greenhouse. I got a couple
pieces put together on it but put it away
for another day as we were all getting hungry.
Let's just say the directions suck. I'm sure
I'll figure it out sooner or later.
When your tummy is growling that is not a
good time to try and concentrate on something,
especially a greenhouse with many pieces.
At least all the parts were marked so there
should be no problem there.





I'm gonna spend the rest of the evening
trying to figure out the surround sound.
I got the stereo part of it working. Now
it would be nice if I can get the sound
through the tv!

4-23-10

Heading out to the church sale this morning.
Will report back with any goodies I might find!
It's supposed to rain this afternoon so will
see if I can find other sales before it does.
Here lately it seems like when Friday
and Saturday rolls around it likes to rain.
I hope it stays away a little bit this weekend.
Would like to get the garden tilled
and get the horse manure worked in the soil.

__________________________________________________

OK y'all I'm back from the church sale
and we hit a neighborhood sale in Westerville also.
Grab a drink and sit a spell while I show
off my cheap goodies! I love garage sales!
People are nuts to pay new prices for things
in the store!!

CHURCH SALE

5 BAGS OF CLOTHES
Got all these clothes below for $1.25 (.25 cents a bag!)
I counted 34 items I crammed in these
plastic Kroger bags!
It averaged out to be .03 to .04 cents for each item!!!!!

If ya can't tell what this is, it's a
kids towel pullover with a monkey hood.


2 kids footed flannel pajamas


Sweat jacket for Jonathan


Tops and sweaters for myself.
I really wanted to get the boys
some clothes but those tables had been raided!






A top and shorts for myself


5 pairs of pants.
Some of which the boys might be able to wear.


A couple shirts for the boys
and a sweater for myself.


Ok that's all for the clothes that
was part of the .25 cents a bag deal ($1.25 for ALL!!)

I found this jacket below that was .50 cents.
I have a similar jacket like this but the
zipper finally broke last Winter.
Sure as heck can't beat a jacket for .50 cents!!
It has horses on it.


A woven runner for $2.00.
It goes the whole length of my kitchen.
That sure will help with dirty shoes
that make my tiled floor look a mess!


A couple yards of red and yellow upholstery fabric.
Will go perfect with living and dining room colors!
Not sure what I will use it for just yet.
I thought about reupholstering the chairs.
Oh yeah, .25 cents for this fabric!!


We've been needing more silverware. I found this
box of a complete set for $5.00. Sounds like a lot
but if you have priced silverware it isn't exactly cheap.
Not sure where some of my silverware went to, probably
buried in the backyard somewhere thanks to kids.
Thrift stores want 3 for $1.00 for silverware
and you'd be lucky after rummaging around in bins
to find a complete set. So I am happy to
have spent $5.00 on this set.


This is a valance. Paid .25 cents for it.
Liked the colors.


4 tab top curtain panels $5.00.
I still need curtains for our bow window
so will customize these to fit those windows.
They are a thicker fabric, which I need,
for more privacy. Right now I have a couple
light weight panels in the windows but
they a too sheer for me, sure can't run through
the house naked if I wanted to without worry
that the neighbors are getting a free show!


Things dissapear from this house and who
knows where it goes to. For example last
year during baseball season we had a crap
load of plastic cups with lids. Do you
think I could find just one this year, NO.
So I bought these for .10 cents each for
our travels.


We love the sounds of windchimes. A couple
weeks ago Tony bought me my first wind chime
for a buck. I found two today at the church
sale. One was $1.00 and the other .50 cents.
I would like to hang them along the car port
where I had hanging baskets last year.



The kids are weather fanatics.
I got them this barometer, thermometer and humidity
thing for $1.00.


Got a digital 70 pint Kenmore Dehumidifier for $10.
Plugged it in an buttons seemed to work
and the compressor kicked on.
Check this out, I saw it online for
$250-$300 for a new one!!!!
I LOVE CHURCH SALES!!!


That was it for the church sale.
I got the rest below at one garage sale.

I found this cute sign for .50 cents.
I will hang it in my hallway with
all my other similar signs.


This stuff was in a box marked free.
Not shown in this photo was a pack
of notebook paper, another car air freshener
and a new in package glow necklace like
you see at fairs.


I was worn to a frazzle after the church sale
and still managed to take mom to a few more
garage sales. I am tired and am going
to take a nap before the weekend starts!!

____________________________________________________

I got this in my email today.
As cheap as I am this sounds like something
I would do LMAO!!

NO NURSING HOME FOR US!!!





No nursing home for us. We are checking into the Holiday Inn!



With the average cost for a nursing home care costing $188.00 per day, there is a better way when we get old and feeble.



We have already checked on reservations at the Holiday Inn. For a combined long term stay discount and senior discount, it's $49..23 per night. That leaves $138.77 a day for: Breakfast, lunch and dinner in any restaurant we want, or room service, laundry, gratuities and special TV movies. Plus, they provide a spa,swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge and washer-dryer, etc ... Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap.







$5 worth of tips a day will have the entire staff scrambling to help you. They treat you like a customer, not a patient. There is a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free. The handicap bus will also pick you up (if you fake a decent limp).





To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays or a synagogue ride on Saturdays.






For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there. While you're at the airport, fly somewhere. Otherwise, the cash keeps building up.





It takes months to get into decent nursing homes. Holiday Inn will take your reservation today.. And you are not stuck in one place forever, you can move from Inn to Inn , or even from city to city. Want to see Hawaii ? They have a Holiday Inn there too.


T V broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem. They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience.







The Inn has a night security person and daily room service... The maid checks to see if you are ok. If not, they will call the undertaker or an ambulance. If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.





And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini-vacation.






The grand kids can use the pool.


What more can you ask for?




So, when we reach that golden age,


we'll face it with a grin.


Just forward all our email to:



__________________________________________________

Here's Jonathan sporting his new jammies
I got him today. I searched high and low
for some of these at Christmas time and couldn't
find any for older kids. They fit really good
on him!



___________________________________________________

Hubby looks at too much stuff on Craigslist, LOL!
Tonight guess what he found on there that he thinks
that we should do?
A private ghost hunt at the
Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield,
The place where they filmed Shawshank Redemption
(had a friend in that movie!)
and a place where my favorite show
Ghost Hunters AKA Taps has investigated.


I'm not quite sure of going on
a ghost hunting tour but will give it
some thought. It runs from 8pm to 5am
July 11th.

Here are some clips from TAPS- Ghost Hunters
from the Ohio State Reformatory.
I get nervous just watching them
as I remember that show!






I've been reading more about this private ghost hunt.
It says for the beginning they read to you the rules
and regulations and give a speech.
Each ghost hunt consists of 100 people.
BUT after the speech everyone is on their
own explore the place without guidance.
You have to bring your own flashlights.