My Frugal Finds

$1.99 each !!!

Like Sand Through the Hourglass...

What a month it's been and it's not quite over yet!

Shrugs slipped, broke his ankle and tore 2 ligaments. Translation: I've been at his house every single day since January 5th! Yes, I am tired. The weather hasn't helped either. Rain, shine or 12" of snow, I have to go over there to make sure he has his 3 squares and then some.

I finally have a routine set over there. My home routine on the other hand has been turned upside-down. Seriously counting the days until we go back to the hospital to find out if he needs to remain in the cast on February 16th.

I get to spend yet another birthday taking care of the ex (two years ago it was his shoulder, but he could at least WALK). Valentine's Day is another bonus. It's a good thing Shrugs and I get along so well.

Today I decided to finally get started on one of Diva's Yule gifts. A hoodie sweater. Mentally I am all over that thing, boxed and under the tree. Physically, I will be happy if I finish the sleeves. I think that's why I am starting with those first... as I told a friend, if I lose steam, they make cute leg-warmers!

Today's Adventure

This afternoon I bundled up, stepped outside and pointed my car in the direction of the local department store. I hate calling that little shopping area a mall since it's little more than 2 stores, a tobacco shop, dry cleaner, dollar store and grocery. A mall? Pfft!


I digress - The purpose of the shopping trip was to buy a vacuum sealer. There were three on the shelves, no, not just three brands, three sealers. One of each. They all looked the same, rectangle, white, stick the bag in and they suck the air out. They also ranged from $50 to $90. Great. 


Not wanting to ask "Which one sucks best for the money" I pushed my cart around the store. I was wanting to get a new storage bin for food storage. Window shopping was fun but, it was nothing compared to the glee I experienced when I stumbled on my secret little corner.


Technically, it wasn't a corner. It's not mine. Highly unlikely it's a secret because there was an announcement overhead that some things in that area was 75% off. Christmas has come early. Literally.


Sure, some of the things may be holiday related so don't tell the dirty dishes that the cloth cleaning it has a pointsetta on it! Actually, just about everything I purchased today will be put to immediate use.

All in all, for 28.34 (tax-included) I managed to get 4 rolls of general use wrapping paper (for birthdays), a pack of gift tags (Yule), an 18 gallon storage bin, a much needed large spatula, salt and pepper shaker set, 2 dish towels, 2 potholders, 4 place-mats (Yule), a linen tablecloth (Yule), 8 dishcloths, 2 fingertip towels, a 6-in-1 pocket tool (stocking), 1 t-shirt (gift) and 1 boxer (gift).


I still need to find a food sealer, but there is always tomorrow!

Ya Ya, What is Menu Planning?

Some of you may have heard of menu planning but don't quite understand what it is, how useful it can be or how it can save you money.

Menu planning is, planning your menu. Sounds simple? It can be.  Some people wait until they go shopping and set the menu, some shop according to the menu. Whatever you do, grab a piece of paper, your calendar or do it on your computer, but write it down!

Okay, but how do you DO it?

Go to your kitchen and take a look around. How long ago did you buy something you thought you would use but it’s sitting there collecting dust? What about the freezer? Is it full of things you can no longer identify or is it echo empty because you have no idea what you are making every day. Go ahead, look, I’ll wait.

Do you know what you are making for dinner tomorrow? What about the next day? If you do, jot it down. If you don’t, take a minute and think about what tasty morsel you can make with what you currently have on hand and then… you guessed it… write it down.

Before you go shopping again, think about what you can make for the week. How much will you need? If you are roasting a chicken on Sunday, you can squeeze a mid-week soup out of it. Making a meatloaf on Monday? How about pizza casserole on Wednesday? No, you don’t have to make every meal stretch in to two, but if you know you will make a meatloaf on Monday and burgers another day you can get more for your buck by getting it all at once (I will go over Once a Month shopping/prepping/cooking another time).

Planning out your menu means there is usually no food waste. Every bite of food that is tossed in the trash cost you money. If you are the type who enjoys tossing money, I will give you my address!

See, I told you meal planning can be simple.

How I Do It

In the beginning I used the everyday calendar but moved on to using an online calendar.  It was quick. It was easy. It was there! I wrote up the menu and then grabbed the things at the market for the week. I was finding it hard to stick to it because I would get to the store and find a good sale on something that wasn’t on the menu, or worse, overpay for something that was just because it was there.

Now, I shop first and plan around what I have. I buy my meats at a wholesale club. Pork chops can range from $2.49 to $4.50 a pound. Instead of getting several packages at that price, I have them cut a tenderloin piece in to ½ inch slices at the store and only pay $1.99 per pound.  Once I get home I bag them for the freezer and know instantly how many meals I can make of it. (The last one was $13.00 and will make 16 dinners for us.) I do the same with beef.  I have meals planned for 2 months at a time.

There are times I will need to buy things to supplement what I have because there are some things I won’t buy in bulk – milk, bread and fresh produce – but I know ahead of time how much I need because I have a written reminder of when I will need it.

The best investment I ever made was my planner. I not only write my meal plans in it, but I keep track of all the appointments, activities, bills and cleaning schedule in one place. Best of all, it’s Momma size! I carry it with me everywhere, yes,  it’s big, but I have a messenger bag purse so it fits nicely. I like it much better than the online calendar I was using. I can’t carry my laptop with me at all times and if the power goes out, I was lost!

Challenging Myself in 2011

I am not one to make resolutions. Personal experience has taught me I go hardcore for about 3 days... something happens on day 4. Day 5 is spent feeling guilty. Day 6 is usually when I decide I will try again. Day 7 is usually when I admit defeat and swear off making resolutions!

Since I am a Domestic Goddess, it was time to take a personal inventory and decide what I want to accomplish this year.

Maybe misery loves company but I would like to think that there is safety in numbers. I joined a few online challenges in hopes accountability keeps me plugging along.

Clean and Organized Home Challenge - There are 12 months to a year. We live in a cozy 800 square foot condo. Time to sort through the piles of life and let the not-so-important things go. 2011 is going to be filled with love, not junk!

Change Jar Challenge - See a penny, pick it up! That not so shiny sucker is worth something. The Laundry Gods demand quarter sacrifices, all others go in the jar.

Emergency Fund Challenge - Having an emergency is stressful. Knowing you have some money tucked away keeps you from going bald.

Tah-tah 2010

Where does the time go? The decorations have been carefully returned to their boxes for the year and preparations to welcome 2011 have begun.

So much to do - shopping, cleaning, laundry, cooking, decorating. The menu for our little New Years Eve party has been set and I plan on going to BJ's in the morning and spend Thursday night getting ready for the all-day Friday celebration.

It's Purple !!!

Elvis and I put our minds together and decided ahead of time, whatever money we get for the holidays will be used to purchase a much needed vacuum. Not fun, I know. I think Shrugs mentioned something to the Outlaws about my needing one because at Christmas dinner we were gifted with a gift card. I did a little dance and sang my thanks. They looked at me like I had 3 heads. Obviously, they never had to sweep a tan Berber rug in winter!

I knew exactly what I was looking for. Bag-less, upright, additional pieces. I finally found what I wanted and I will be fighting Elvis over who gets to use it first - yes, really!

Our little New Years Eve starts off with Diva, Elvis and I having a silver dollar pancake party - banana, chocolate chip or blueberry. I'm not sure which one I want, I may just have to have one of each. Lunch will just be sandwiches. No one is about to starve with all the food I will be serving later. 

Around 6, Shrugs will join us for games, movies and the food parade. It may look like I plan on feeding everyone in the building, but I am not making a ton of each offering. Most of the food will be homemade and using things I already have in the house. Anything I have to purchase will have enough left overs for freezing for another time.

This years food choices -
king crab legs with butter sauce
cheese tray with crackers, grapes and pepperoni
chips and salsa
sweet and spicy crock-pot meatballs (hm)
chicken and turkey bacon (hm)
scallops and bacon
pizza rolls
crab puffs (hm)
fried ravioli (hm)
mini quiche Lorraine (hm)
Spanokopita (hm)
vanilla ice cream with pecan praline sauce (hm)
sparkling grape juice

This is the last post of 2010. Have a wonderful and SAFE remainder of the year and see you all in 2011!

Saying Good-bye to a Well Lived Year

I would like to start off by saying thank you to those of you who have taken the time out of your busy schedules to read my blog. Life has a way of running us in directions we never considered.

Things I am happy about 2010: Diva is finding her 'self' and developing in to a wonderful and fascinating 'tween. Elvis being gainfully employed and setting out to every work day knowing that while it may be sweltering or bitter cold 60' up in the air, he will eventually come back down, he will be paid, the lights will stay on and his family will be all the better for it.

We are now just days away from tossing out the old calendar and replacing it with a crisp clean 2011 version. The calendar is not the only thing I hope and plan on changing in the near future. I have always been 2 steps behind the chaos. I would LOVE to wake up one day and everything be in it's place, the clutter gone, have a full pantry and an empty sink. The condo is about to get a complete overhaul. There is too much. Too much to do. Too much to clean. TOO MUCH CLUTTER IN OUR LIVES! We do not -need- most of the things we have and having it prevents us from reaching a point of happiness. I -do- have a cleaning schedule worked out for the next year... wish me luck!

November?

I am not sure what happened between the last post and now. Most of it seems a blur of cooking, cleaning, knitting, teacher meetings, school runs and preparing for the upcoming holidays. I vaguely remember something about leaves turning and falling, rain, pumpkins, candy.... oh and a wedding!

No, I didn't run off and get married. I was asked to perform a wedding on Halloween. It was fun. The couple dressed like vampires and the guests wore costumes. I wore a black gown with a hooded cape. It was a small, at home family event, but I have never seen two happier people. I wish them all the luck and love in the world. Congrats!

Today I have been going over the shopping list for the week and the Thanksgiving dinner menu. We're going small this year. For the first time in known memory - Diva, Elvis and I will be home. Yes! Elvis isn't working... he won't be working Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve or New Years Day. I say this because they happen on his day off. I am hoping the people who are scheduled don't pull a disappearing act forcing him to cover for them.

I will update more soon, I wanted to prove I haven't kicked any rusty buckets. Back to knitting slippers for Diva. Winter has come early around here.

Ohhh... a RAOK.. for... for.... ME !!!!!!!!

A while back I had put my name on a list to give a RAOK (random act of kindness). Imagine my surprise when Diva came in with the mail and there was an envelope... for me!

They Say a Picture is Worth 1000 Words

... so this post is worth 2000.

Isn't it beautiful???? 

Why Is It Called a Skirt Anyways?

Ain't it purdy?

We have a 3' white holiday tree. Yes, seriously.
We once had the 7' big-o-tree, but one year after Thanksgiving dinner we went to the attic and found out that someone had stolen ALL my holiday things.

That is the downside to living in a condo complex, the shared attic space. We each have our own locked 'storage coop' but it wasn't built so much to keep people out as it was to keep the junk in.

So, there we were... Thanksgiving night. Treeless. The family tradition of gathering all the ornaments, checking the lights and setting up the tree - over.

We didn't want to spend $100+ to replace the tree, since we were afraid it would get stolen AGAIN... so, we bought a tiny tree that we can keep stored in a tote in the bottom of my hall closet. When we got home we discovered that our new tiny evergreen was white! *LOL*

It doesn't look like much right now, but after we string the lights, place the ornaments, lay the garland, place the skirt - it's beautiful!

Speaking of skirts, I made a new one for the tree this year. The old skirt was for the big tree. Glittery, purple, and bigger than our poor little much loved tree.

Click for Pattern

She'll Scream For Ice Cream !

part of ice cream kit for Diva

I think this is the cutest thing! It doesn't make a lot at one time, but Diva rarely eats more than 1/4 of a cup anyways.


Another Yule gift off the list. Yes, I was aiming for a homemade holiday, but this is the first year Santa won't be bringing his gift. Technically, it is still homemade because I am making an entire Ice Cream Kit with it. I bought the ice cream maker at one store and the bowl at another. I will add a container of chocolate milk powder, jimmies and mint extract so she can make her much loved mint chocolate. I am thinking about making an ice cream designed napkin to go with it. Oh to be a kid again. 

Best of all, I got everything at 75% off. The maker was $9.99 (paid $2.49) and the bowl was $2.00 (paid .50)

2 down, a million to go...

I finished a hat and scarf for Diva!

  

It Doesn't Get Any Easier Than This

It was a beautiful day and I wanted to sit out and enjoy the weather - but being me, I couldn't just SIT there, I had to do something!

In an attempt to be both frugal and environmentally friendly, I don't print out patterns. My entire Domestic Goddessness is kept on my laptop. The downside being, I can't do pattern work without bringing my laptop with me.

Diva was playing with the neighbor kids, running, jumping, playing ball... PLAYING BALL !!! I didn't want to run the odds of one of the balls smashing in to my "keeper of all things me"

I had a ball of Red Heart Super Saver in Zebra that has been sitting around wanting to be made in to anything. I decided to go with a scarf since it was on my to-do list for this Yule. After many failed attempts to knit it in to a pattern that worked with the yarn, I decided to start hooking.

Get your minds out of the gutter, it's crowded enough down there!

~~The "It Doesn't Get Any Easier Than This" scarf pattern~~

I am not taking full credit for this. This pattern is so easy I am sure it's been done millions of times.

 yarn: any 4ply weight will do
hook: H (smaller will be tighter, larger and you will have gaps - pretty but not very good for keeping warm)

If you want long 'stripes', chain 200 (or however long you need for desired length)
If you want short 'stripes', chain 25 

No matter if you want vertical or horizontal, the pattern is the same... 
 
Row 1: SC in 2nd from hook, sc and every chain to end, ch1 and turn
Row 2+: SC in every chain, going through both loops at once, ch1 and turn

Make it as wide/long as you want.

Casting Call

Wool-Ease Chunky in Walnut

Now that I finished the tree skirt, I feel as if I -can- accomplish something. I cast on for a pair of slippers for Diva. The pattern is simple enough (I hope). I would have loved to make them in a pretty jeweled color, but knowing my reluctant Diva as well as I do, I decided a walnut color would work better for her. I can always add an embellishment to femme it up a bit if they look too... macho. 


School starts tomorrow and if I hope I can get more done without worrying about her questioning what I am making. It was a lot easier when she was small and forgot she saw me making things.


Slipper Pattern --- click here

Update: FINISHED !!!

Less than Four !!!

I have been busy making the tree skirt and scouting out patterns for ornaments. A quick review of the 'to make' list and I realized I am SO far behind. VERY far behind.


I was originally going to make my Mother the 5th Avenue Scarf, but not sure she will like it as much as I do. What do you give to the woman who doesn't have everything and doesn't want to? I will have to put more thought in to it. If anyone reading has suggestions, please chime in.


Staying on the handmade theme, I am still going to make Diva a hat and scarf set, but the pattern has changed. I will be making the Scrunchable Scarf (ETA: slip the first and last stitch - it doesn't say that in the pattern) and Scrunchable Hat in a color to be determined later. The pattern is easy enough that I know I can finish them on time. I want to buy her winter coat first, or do a black/white.


The Harry Potter theme is still on, she loves HP, and so do I. The search for a box the 'Secret Book'. I know that AC Moore has book looking unfinished boxes for a reasonable price.


Shrugs has a way of changing my plans, even if he doesn't know at the time. The one purchased gift Diva asked for was a calligraphy set. I thought it was a wonderful idea... and so did he. He bought her one last weekend when they went to Barnes & Noble. Ugh.


I am looking for a sewing pattern for a sleeping dress. I have a tan plaid one. So comfy, so loved. Diva wants a red one just like it. I am not sure I can find one her size, so I am thinking sewing is the way to go. If I end up sewing it, it has to be a simple pattern. I can sew, but sleeves are my kryptonite.


I have a million ideas in my head for gifts, and I know it's not humanly possible to finish them all - not even for a Domestic Goddess.

Okay, I couldn't resist myself. I was sitting here crocheting a tree skirt for our small (but loved) mini-tree. There is just something about this song. Maybe it's the trip down memory lane to my childhood. Maybe it's because I watch this movie constantly. Maybe it's because whenever I am working on gifts, I find myself humming it. Whatever the reason, I admit that I love it!


I will post pictures of the tree skirt when I am finished with it. I adapted a pattern I found online. Smaller hooks, 2 different colors. Looks good so far, about 17 rows finished. 

Is That the Sound of Summer Ending?

Here we are, 8 more mornings left before our lazy leisurely routines morph in to the 'school shuffle'. 

That's not to say that we haven't had practice runs during summer vacation - basketball camp, tutoring twice a week and this week it's soccer camp. A lousy weather week, rainy and cold. I guess being a little chilly and running around is better than if it was sweltering outside.

My computer died a most painful death. Elvis tried to build me new one from the scattered pc graveyard. All was well, until I tried to  reinstall the disc - that came with it - and there is a file missing. How? It's an Emachine disc, ad can't be written over, so -how- is it missing the file??? 

I feel so lost. I don't have my personal files at the ready. I emailed them to myself so they are not lost, but not available for use until we can fix my frankenputer or  breakdown and finally get myself a laptop. Elvis has been after me for over a year now to get one. I have been putting it off because I know that as soon as I buy it something will happen that needed the money more. 

Yes, I have a problem spending money on myself. Diva has everything she needs and most of the things she wants - within reason. I try to keep some money set aside for emergencies, vacations, etc. When I had money set aside for my laptop - the fridge died. When we got the refund for the fridge - Elvis needed a car... 3 new tires... $1500 worth of repairs... do I need to go on?

Elvis now has a different car, the fridge has been replaced and yet I still don't have a laptop. I'll get one - someday.

Wow, what a long way around to the point of this post.

Summer is unofficially over. It happened faster than we thought and hoped. School goes back a week from Wednesday. We always thought of Labor Day as the end because school went back the Wednesday after. Oh, how the times have changed.

This weeks weather has been predicted to be in the upper 60's, gloomy, cloudy, rainy. Thursday is suppose to shoot up to 80 so at least the last day of soccer camp will be pleasant enough for Diva. It feels weird not having her home right now. 

In an attempt to be occupied I started gathering all the school supplies. I pulled up the list and realized it's NOT the same as the one I posted here months ago. They changed it. Not drastically, but enough to be noticed. Luckily, I have extras.

New School List and Costs - for personal challenge

48 #2 pencils (.10/box = .40)
8 ct. washable markers (.50)
12 ct. colored pencils (.25)
2 highlighters – different colors (.09/each - .18)
2 erasers (white medium) (.19)
5” sharp scissors (0 - had)
1 plastic 2 pocket folder without fasteners (0 - had)
individual pencil sharpener (.29)
1 12” sturdy ruler (inch and cm. marks) (.29)
6 Elmer’s glue sticks (small) or 3 large (.39/each = 1.17)
3 packs of 100 lined index cards - 3x5 (white) (.39/each - 1.17)
2 spiral index cards (3”x5”) (.59/each = 1.18)
3 packs 3-hole wide-ruled paper (100 sheets)* (.99)
1 composition notebook (.50)
1 5x7 spiral notebook (.99)
1/2” 3-ring view binder w/interior pockets (0 -had)
1 expandable coupon holder for flashcards (0 - had)
1 pencil case (0 - had)
2 large boxes of tissues (for class use)
1 old shirt/tee (adult size) for painting projects
2 Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
1 Scotch tape (.99)
On the first day of school, please send in $5.00 to cover cost of plastic folder and a planner book purchased by the school.

Simple Ratatouille

I am happy to say that my house is rat free! This is so simple to make and can be eaten hot or cold. There are as many ways to eat it as there is to make it... and this is mine.

Ratatouille

1/4 cup olive oil
2 onions, slivered
3 bell peppers, cubed
2 eggplants, cubed
2 zucchini, cubed
4 cloves garlic, minced 
2 pounds tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
salt and pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil


Cut everything up ahead of time to save you from running around with a knife in one hand and a spoon in the other.

Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. If you don't have a dutch oven, use a thick bottom soup pan. 

Put each ingredient in the pan separately and cook a little before adding the next.
ONIONS - PEPPERS - EGGPLANT ~stirring well to coat the eggplant with oil. Stir often to keep it from burning while the veggies begin to soften. ZUCCHINI, GARLIC, TOMATOES, THYME ~Stir well and cook 2 minutes.

Turn down heat and cover the pot. Simmer until everything is soft and well blended - about 40 minutes.
Stir in basil and remove from heat.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.