We spent only $150 on groceries this month. What exactly did we eat?
We do tend to eat fairly low on the food chain as it is. We will eat some meat, but not a lot. This is a great time of year for soups, and we have eaten a lot of soups.
Punjabi Style Black Lentils, from the Smitten Kitchen. Needless to say, I kept the dairy OUT of the recipe. Still, an excellent meal! The leftovers from this went to work with me for lunch as is for several days.
Meatloaf. I made a double loaf. The leftovers were divided into 2 more meals:
1) Chili
The leftovers from the chili went into 2 meals: tacos and baked potatoes.
2) Cauliflower Baked Ziti from Delish. Again, this was a very large dish, so it provided leftovers for lunch.
Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash Rings
A popular favorite in our house. We're still working our way through the last of the bushel of winter squash that I picked up in October for $15 at the Farmer's Market. We never have leftovers of this wonderful creation in our house.
Beef Stew
I made it following the recipe in the Insta Pot book. It was beyond wonderful, and tasted better than it does when I make it in the crock pot and leave it sitting all day. The leftovers served us for lunch over the weekend.
Baked Chicken
Another Instant Pot find. I saved off the broth to make chicken soup. The chicken itself was one very tasty dinner. And one very tasty chicken salad. And the rest went into a pan with some BBQ sauce to make pulled chicken BBQ sandwiches. I served that with what I think was the last of the bushel of sweet potatoes we picked up in the fall from the Farmer's Market for $20.
Lentil, Mushroom, and Sweet Potato Pie
Another winner! I found this one on The Kitchn's Website. And yes, with this the last of the sweet potatoes were gone. And then husband volunteered at the food pantry over the weekend. At the end of the event, all of the produce needs to be given away or thrown out. Long story short, we've now got even MORE sweet potatoes to work our way through....
Pancakes
For Shrove Tuesday.
Ratatouille
This used up the eggplant and other awkward "what do I do with this" vegetables from the produce box we got from our favorite farmer.
And then... husband stopped by to pick up eggs from one of our favorite farmers and came home with a 50 pound bag of white potatoes that he paid $20 for, and a 20 pound bag of onions that he paid $10, and a bag of the vegetables that are quickly turning bad- this farmer sells them for 50 cents a bag. That's right, 50 cents a bag. It's a big bag and it has a hodge podge of vegetables in it and weighs about 2 pounds, maybe more - and you get what's in the bag. No swapping out. I made a fabulous vegetable soup from that bag. But now I've got a huge bag of white potatoes to work my way through!
I think you get the idea - we cook with what's readily available as much as possible. I'll stock up on big things as they go on sale. And keep in mind, I'm cooking for 3 now, after years of cooking for 5 - and 2 of those 5 people were teenage boys who were active in sports! I'm practically drowning in leftovers every time I cook because I am still cooking in the quantities I was cooking in when the boys still lived at home.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Monday, February 26, 2018
Random Pictures
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| The Madness has begun! |
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| Performance Art, courtesy of Hobbes. |
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| A grown up tutu! I wore it for Candy Land! |
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| Leftovers from a painting night at the Ceramic Studio! |
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| Peace Garden at Bon Secours. |
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| Hobbes! |
Friday, February 23, 2018
The Kitten and The Quilt
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| Hobbes, relaxing on the couch. |
Last weekend, as I was quilting, I felt an unusual pulling at the bottom of the quilt. I looked down on the floor, and saw Hobbes peeking out from under the quilt. I smiled at him, and then quickly began to panic as I realized that he had pulled off a significant chunk of cotton batting and was eating it.
The flight that ensued as I attempted to chase him down, prize open his mouth, and yank out the cotton can only be described as "Mad Panic". It's not an experience I want to relive any time soon.
And so, the quilts - unfinished - have been put into a safe location for now. I plan on taking the girl's quilt outside to quilt once the weather warms up enough for me to spend some time outside. I can work on the quilt in peace while Hobbes is inside the house.
I'm not certain when, where, or how I'm going to finish off the edges of these quilts. Quite honestly, I might be sewing outside on the carport this summer!
In the meantime, I will be kept on my toes, attempting to keep all of the choking hazards away from the very spoiled little kitten!
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Youth Media Awards
At the American Library Association's Mid-Winter meeting, the winners of the big literature awards for kids and young adults are announced. I had speculated on the winners earlier this year on my Books for Teens Blog. You can see that post here: Youth Media Awards.
In that post, I had expressed high hopes for You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie, and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. While Strange the Dreamer was one of my favorite books last year, I honestly didn't think it was a contender.
Last Monday, the Youth Media Awards were announced. To be honest, I was surprised! I never expect to correctly call the awards, but I'm always happy when at least one of my choices ends up making one of the lists!
In case if you haven't seen the list, here it is:
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
We Are Okay by Nina LeCour
Honor Books:
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman
I have a more difficult time keeping up with the contenders for the Newberry and Caldecott Awards. I feel fortunate if new books manage to pass through my hands during its publication year. Picture Books and Children's Chapter Books run through our library so quickly I rarely get a chance to look at them while they're still new!
The Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
John Newberry Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly.
I admit that I was very disappointed that Sherman Alexie's book did not make it to the final rounds, not even an honorable mention. So, I went searching to see if I had missed something. Sure enough, I had. He is the WINNER of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Non-Fiction. Oops - my bad, I was looking in the YA section instead of in the Adult Collection.
I've got some books I need to read! I haven't seen many of these books, and I hope to find some new friends!
You can find the complete list of Youth Media Award Winners for 2018 here:
http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/02/american-library-association-announces-2018-youth-media-award-winners
In that post, I had expressed high hopes for You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie, and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. While Strange the Dreamer was one of my favorite books last year, I honestly didn't think it was a contender.
Last Monday, the Youth Media Awards were announced. To be honest, I was surprised! I never expect to correctly call the awards, but I'm always happy when at least one of my choices ends up making one of the lists!
In case if you haven't seen the list, here it is:
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
We Are Okay by Nina LeCour
Honor Books:
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman
I have a more difficult time keeping up with the contenders for the Newberry and Caldecott Awards. I feel fortunate if new books manage to pass through my hands during its publication year. Picture Books and Children's Chapter Books run through our library so quickly I rarely get a chance to look at them while they're still new!
The Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
John Newberry Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly.
I admit that I was very disappointed that Sherman Alexie's book did not make it to the final rounds, not even an honorable mention. So, I went searching to see if I had missed something. Sure enough, I had. He is the WINNER of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Non-Fiction. Oops - my bad, I was looking in the YA section instead of in the Adult Collection.
I've got some books I need to read! I haven't seen many of these books, and I hope to find some new friends!
You can find the complete list of Youth Media Award Winners for 2018 here:
http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/02/american-library-association-announces-2018-youth-media-award-winners
Monday, February 19, 2018
Lent
This Lenten Season, I have decided that I am going to be searching for Christ in all the usual places - and a few unusual ones, too.
I began with Ash Wednesday. I went to church, but not my church.
It was a solemn service, filled with all of the tradition, pomp, and circumstance that my heart desired. At the end of the service, we were each given a small prayer touchstone - a small piece of fired clay that fits in my pocket. When I find it in my pocket, I am reminded to send up a quick prayer.
I've been to a Labyrinth on the grounds of the Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours.
I made a very nice porcelain bowl that I donated to the Empty Bowls dinner sponsored by the Human Services Organization in our county.
I've signed up to attend a Sacred Drum Circle.
In an attempt to get back to my roots, I'm visiting the churches of my youth - Baptist, Catholic, and Lutheran.It promises to be a very different kind of Lent for me this year! I am hoping that I can find my center, and redefine my relationship with the Holy in the process.
I'll be posting pictures here and there from my Lenten journey. No words, just pictures.
A Reflective Lent to you.....
Friday, February 16, 2018
NoSpenduary
As you know, I've set this month aside to NOT spend any money.
You may remember that I also mentioned that my laptop was on it's last legs.
Those two forces met and combined into a wonderful, combustible mess last week. The laptop is dead, and I'm not spending any money. The result? I'm writing this on a Chrome Book that I borrowed from the library. It's a nifty little laptop that really gets the job done! I happen to have 4 days in a row off of work, so I'm uploading a LOT of posts today that I've written the old fashioned way - with pen and paper - and will be setting them to automatically release over the next week or so.
Speaking of Chrome Books... my library loans them out for a week at a time. 7 days. FREE. Talk about a bargain! This would be a game changer for anyone who doesn't have the means to buy a computer of their own. The ability to search for jobs, apply for jobs, take classes... all things that those of us who have regular internet access take for granted. I'm curious - does anyone else know what devices their local library lends?
AND - in the wonderful world of electronics all breaking spontaneously - my iPod Shuffle (circa 2008) has finally died. I had hoped to run it to the Apple store yesterday and see if they actually carried batteries for the thing - but now I can't find it. I'm in a bit of a quandry here, as I'm going to need to have some music loaded on a device soon. What am I going to do?? Stay tuned for what is certain to be a Series of Unfortunate Events.
AND- My Kindle. Second generation Kindle, BTW. I love that thing. I've used it almost constantly. It's no longer functioning. Again, I've got an event coming up soon and I'd really like to have my Kindle on hand. Damn it all! This is no Spenduary! What am I going to do! I know, I know #FirstWorldProblems. 20 years ago, I didn't need or have a Kindle, a Laptop, or an iPod. I've gone soft over the last 20 years! Our library quit carrying Kindles last year - and it would have been loaded with someone else's choice of literature - not mine.
Oh, oh, oh, one more whine and bitch here - we have baseboard heaters in our house. Very inefficient way to heat a house, but it's what we have. I've been replacing them as I get the money saved up. With parts and labor from a qualified electrician, replacing each heater runs around $750. We've replaced 3 in the house so far, out of 9. Guess how many have died in the last week? No, not the last 6 (thank God for small mercies). Only 3. I'm glad we have a wood stove and that it's been a mild winter so far. I'd like to hold out and replace them over the summer, before next fall rolls around. I've got my fingers crossed.
So, are we actually saving any money this month? Well, I haven't put out close to $2000 to replace the electronics or the next $2000 to replace the heaters.... That's $4,000 I need to save up - PLUS the money to replace the roof, as well as (hopefully) paying off the Civic this year..... I'm beginning to have my doubts that any of this is actually going to happen in the way I think it will.
As I sit here in a Starbucks, tapping into their WiFi, nursing a $4 drink that I bought with a gift card I got for the holidays, I am counting my blessings. In spite of everything, I have a wonderful family, a roof over my head (that doesn't leak), plumbing that works, and wonderful people to work with. I'm looking forward to knocking an item off of my Bucket List soon... So yes, in spite of the inconvenience of luxuries not working the way I want, life is very good.
You may remember that I also mentioned that my laptop was on it's last legs.
Those two forces met and combined into a wonderful, combustible mess last week. The laptop is dead, and I'm not spending any money. The result? I'm writing this on a Chrome Book that I borrowed from the library. It's a nifty little laptop that really gets the job done! I happen to have 4 days in a row off of work, so I'm uploading a LOT of posts today that I've written the old fashioned way - with pen and paper - and will be setting them to automatically release over the next week or so.
Speaking of Chrome Books... my library loans them out for a week at a time. 7 days. FREE. Talk about a bargain! This would be a game changer for anyone who doesn't have the means to buy a computer of their own. The ability to search for jobs, apply for jobs, take classes... all things that those of us who have regular internet access take for granted. I'm curious - does anyone else know what devices their local library lends?
AND - in the wonderful world of electronics all breaking spontaneously - my iPod Shuffle (circa 2008) has finally died. I had hoped to run it to the Apple store yesterday and see if they actually carried batteries for the thing - but now I can't find it. I'm in a bit of a quandry here, as I'm going to need to have some music loaded on a device soon. What am I going to do?? Stay tuned for what is certain to be a Series of Unfortunate Events.
AND- My Kindle. Second generation Kindle, BTW. I love that thing. I've used it almost constantly. It's no longer functioning. Again, I've got an event coming up soon and I'd really like to have my Kindle on hand. Damn it all! This is no Spenduary! What am I going to do! I know, I know #FirstWorldProblems. 20 years ago, I didn't need or have a Kindle, a Laptop, or an iPod. I've gone soft over the last 20 years! Our library quit carrying Kindles last year - and it would have been loaded with someone else's choice of literature - not mine.
Oh, oh, oh, one more whine and bitch here - we have baseboard heaters in our house. Very inefficient way to heat a house, but it's what we have. I've been replacing them as I get the money saved up. With parts and labor from a qualified electrician, replacing each heater runs around $750. We've replaced 3 in the house so far, out of 9. Guess how many have died in the last week? No, not the last 6 (thank God for small mercies). Only 3. I'm glad we have a wood stove and that it's been a mild winter so far. I'd like to hold out and replace them over the summer, before next fall rolls around. I've got my fingers crossed.
So, are we actually saving any money this month? Well, I haven't put out close to $2000 to replace the electronics or the next $2000 to replace the heaters.... That's $4,000 I need to save up - PLUS the money to replace the roof, as well as (hopefully) paying off the Civic this year..... I'm beginning to have my doubts that any of this is actually going to happen in the way I think it will.
As I sit here in a Starbucks, tapping into their WiFi, nursing a $4 drink that I bought with a gift card I got for the holidays, I am counting my blessings. In spite of everything, I have a wonderful family, a roof over my head (that doesn't leak), plumbing that works, and wonderful people to work with. I'm looking forward to knocking an item off of my Bucket List soon... So yes, in spite of the inconvenience of luxuries not working the way I want, life is very good.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
2018 Resolutions - February Update
A little late this month! So sorry, this week has been crazy beyond words. I'm sitting here on this lovely chill morning, having been to the gym and now attempting to recover before heading on about my day and tackling the massive to do list. Anybody watching the Super Bowl tomorrow?
I started keeping track of me resolutions online a few years ago. It keeps me focused when I check back in on them once a month. I make more progress when I do it this way. If I make a list and put it in a drawer, I tend to forget about it by the end of January. So, here's my list for this year!
1) Participate in the No-Spenduary Challenge
That begins this month! We're already spending less since we have fewer kids living at home right now. It's going to be fun to cut back! All of our spare time will be spent getting those 40 bags of trash out of our house!
2) 40 Bags in 40 Days
Lent starts on Valentine's Day, and that's the official starting gun for the challenge! Ready, set, clean the house!
3) Get Away With My Husband Twice
What did I read in the back of Debbie MacCombers last book? They've begun their "Adventure before Dementia". It's time for us to do the same. Time to start knocking some places off of our bucket list! We've made a plan for this year.
4) Pay off 1 Big Debt
Working on that right now...
5) Finish Daughter's and Husband's Quilt
Trying to finish off daughter's quilt before I pull out the sewing machine again.
6) Get out to visit Middle Child this year
Kansas is a ways away. When are we going to get out there?
7) Replace the Roof on the House
We're missing shingles. This is a high priority for this year.
8) Exercise MOST days during the week.
I'm stuck at 3 days per week. I need to get that up at 4 days per week. I made a spreadsheet to track my progress on meeting this goal this month. Not as good as I'd like. Look at that - 13 Days out of 30. Not even half of the days in the month. I really need to fix that.
9) Make SOME of my Christmas gifts this year.
In years past, I've hand made Christmas gifts for family members only to find that they threw out what I made. From hand knit blankets and ponchos, to tote bags made with extra long handles and interior pockets, to quilts.... If you're going to give it away or throw it out, I'm not going to make it for you any more. I've got to start thinking now about what I'm going to make for those who appreciate a hand made treasure.
10) Cut my grocery budget to $250/month.
That will be a total of $3000 on groceries this year.
I didn't update this week. I spent $25 on a produce box at the Farmer's Market on Saturday. We ate mostly out of that box for this week.
So, for this month, this brings my total up to: $450
(over)/under budget for the year: (200)
11) Turn my yarn and fabric stash into something more... (but what?)
I took the dark red yarn and made it into a baby blanket for one of my co-workers! I didn't have to buy any yarn, and I really like the pattern! Even better, the yarn is one of those synthetic blends that can be thrown in the washing machine. Always a plus when you've got something you're using around a brand new baby!
12) Take one item off of my Bucket List
A plan has begun to form in my head. And it involves getting away with the husband.
13) Have one Media Free Day per week
As I find myself having more and more problems with my laptop, this is getting easier and easier to do! I'm going to have to replace the laptop soon, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying the laptop when it works, and taking advantage of the excuse to do other things when it doesn't work!
14) Visit 12 libraries I have never been to before
Lawrence Public Library
Truman Library and Museum
I have a couple of professional goals I want to meet, too. I'm not going to list them here, but they're in the back of my mind!
I started keeping track of me resolutions online a few years ago. It keeps me focused when I check back in on them once a month. I make more progress when I do it this way. If I make a list and put it in a drawer, I tend to forget about it by the end of January. So, here's my list for this year!
1) Participate in the No-Spenduary Challenge
That begins this month! We're already spending less since we have fewer kids living at home right now. It's going to be fun to cut back! All of our spare time will be spent getting those 40 bags of trash out of our house!
2) 40 Bags in 40 Days
Lent starts on Valentine's Day, and that's the official starting gun for the challenge! Ready, set, clean the house!
3) Get Away With My Husband Twice
What did I read in the back of Debbie MacCombers last book? They've begun their "Adventure before Dementia". It's time for us to do the same. Time to start knocking some places off of our bucket list! We've made a plan for this year.
4) Pay off 1 Big Debt
Working on that right now...
5) Finish Daughter's and Husband's Quilt
Trying to finish off daughter's quilt before I pull out the sewing machine again.
6) Get out to visit Middle Child this year
Kansas is a ways away. When are we going to get out there?
7) Replace the Roof on the House
We're missing shingles. This is a high priority for this year.
8) Exercise MOST days during the week.
I'm stuck at 3 days per week. I need to get that up at 4 days per week. I made a spreadsheet to track my progress on meeting this goal this month. Not as good as I'd like. Look at that - 13 Days out of 30. Not even half of the days in the month. I really need to fix that.
| Sun. | Mon. | Tues. | Weds. | Thurs. | Fri. | Sat. |
| 1 | 5 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | |||
| 14 | 17 | 18 | ||||
| 21 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 27 | ||
| 29 | 31 |
9) Make SOME of my Christmas gifts this year.
In years past, I've hand made Christmas gifts for family members only to find that they threw out what I made. From hand knit blankets and ponchos, to tote bags made with extra long handles and interior pockets, to quilts.... If you're going to give it away or throw it out, I'm not going to make it for you any more. I've got to start thinking now about what I'm going to make for those who appreciate a hand made treasure.
10) Cut my grocery budget to $250/month.
That will be a total of $3000 on groceries this year.
I didn't update this week. I spent $25 on a produce box at the Farmer's Market on Saturday. We ate mostly out of that box for this week.
So, for this month, this brings my total up to: $450
(over)/under budget for the year: (200)
11) Turn my yarn and fabric stash into something more... (but what?)
I took the dark red yarn and made it into a baby blanket for one of my co-workers! I didn't have to buy any yarn, and I really like the pattern! Even better, the yarn is one of those synthetic blends that can be thrown in the washing machine. Always a plus when you've got something you're using around a brand new baby!
12) Take one item off of my Bucket List
A plan has begun to form in my head. And it involves getting away with the husband.
13) Have one Media Free Day per week
As I find myself having more and more problems with my laptop, this is getting easier and easier to do! I'm going to have to replace the laptop soon, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying the laptop when it works, and taking advantage of the excuse to do other things when it doesn't work!
14) Visit 12 libraries I have never been to before
Lawrence Public Library
Truman Library and Museum
I have a couple of professional goals I want to meet, too. I'm not going to list them here, but they're in the back of my mind!
1) PG #1
2) PG #2
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