I've been reading about living frugally recently.I think it began when my daughter informed me that you can make your own laundry detergent for pennies. I tried it and I was totally amazed. It takes a little time to make but lasts for at least 2 or 3 weeks depending on how much laundry you are doing in a week. For any relatives reading this, I can still afford groceries. I've always enjoyed getting the most for my money without settling for lesser quality. I would prefer to have high quality used things than new things that are poor in quality. A used linen shirt from a thrift store is a good example. Linen fabric shows little wear, lose little of their color, and last much longer than other fabrics. The down side is that it must be ironed unless you like the wrinkled look. (If you're young, the wrinkles don't matter. If you're my age, more wrinkles are not welcome.
The dollar doesn't buy as much as it did a year ago. I've noticed that my grocery bill sometimes includes an increase of things I buy that thirty years ago I didn't. I'm thankful that we have grocery stores that carry a multiple choice of items. But, regardless of your budget, you can easily spend more than you need to.
I had never thought of this until I read it in one of my cook books. If you buy Italian dressing and want creamy Italian also, you don't need to buy two bottles of dressing. Mix 1/2 cup mayonaise with 1/2 cup Italian dressing. (the oil and vinegar Italian dressing is the type I'm referring to.) One less bottle of salad dressing to buy.
If you have a frugal tip, please leave it in your comment. I would love to share it.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
The cooking, the gardening, and vacation Bible school??
This is my recipe blog. Sometimes I feel like writing about things other than recipes. We recently started our spring garden. I didn't like the photo on this blog. I couldn't find a photo that I liked until I found a photo of one of our pineapple plants. Now that I look at the photo on the page, I think the pineapple photo is beautiful!
I never knew pineapples were so easy to grow. I didn't even know you could grow them. I had believed that only farmers could grow these things.
There was a previous time in my life that I thought differently about something else because I had not known that the things that seem impossible are quite possible. All things are possible with God. I felt like sharing this small but life changing experience of my life.
My husband and I were recently cleaning out my mother-in-laws home. She passed away last year. Among some of the photographs we found was an old vacation Bible school photo of my husband when he was about ten or eleven years old. The photo reminded me of my childhood and memories of attending vacation Bible school, Sunday School, and church. I think most families attended church on a fairly regular basis during the 50's. I always believed in God. From a young age, I sincerely loved Jesus. What was there not to love? He loved people, healed people, forgave people, fed the masses, and was the only human being who never sinned.(as a child the sinlessness of Jesus was something unique in Jesus that I was in "awe" of Him) Even children know that we are not perfect. I think even young children know that God is perfect. The one thing that I did not know as a child was that the Lord is a very personal God who does answer prayer.
In my early adult years, my sister-in-law who was also a Christian, told me that God really does answer prayer personally. This one little seed was planted in my mind that later would be the starting point that I trusted that the Lord would possibly answer my prayers.
I had been practicing the piano in my music room when I sensed the deepness of my sin, that of my self centered nature, and I humbly prayed to God for forgiveness. I needed to be humble. I think I had become more self confident, which doesn't leave a lot of room to rely on God on a daily basis. Self confidence is not a bad thing, but too much of it leads to pride. I cannot recall what year it was other than my three oldest children were very young. I knew at that moment that my prayer had been heard. Not only did I know that I was forgiven, but everything in my nature changed. My heart changed and at this point in time, every area of my life began to transform in a very personal way. The goodness of God exceeds the limits of our finite minds.
I have to press toward the life that the Lord wants me to live. But even when I fail or fall short, He is a merciful, loving God. None of us are without sin even as believing Christians.) The difference for the Christian is He's forgiven and does not enjoy sin or want to continue in it. He discovers the God of all comfort, the God who is a present help in time of trouble, and a Soverign God who controls all things. He works His good purposes for us individually, and yes, in a very personal way.
The most satisfying success I find in my daily endeavors of life comes through the strength that only the Lord can give. I pray in thankfulness for all things. Even in the simple things we enjoy are blessings. He gives us the ability to enjoy life and to enjoy whatever work our hands find to do.
I never knew pineapples were so easy to grow. I didn't even know you could grow them. I had believed that only farmers could grow these things.
There was a previous time in my life that I thought differently about something else because I had not known that the things that seem impossible are quite possible. All things are possible with God. I felt like sharing this small but life changing experience of my life.
My husband and I were recently cleaning out my mother-in-laws home. She passed away last year. Among some of the photographs we found was an old vacation Bible school photo of my husband when he was about ten or eleven years old. The photo reminded me of my childhood and memories of attending vacation Bible school, Sunday School, and church. I think most families attended church on a fairly regular basis during the 50's. I always believed in God. From a young age, I sincerely loved Jesus. What was there not to love? He loved people, healed people, forgave people, fed the masses, and was the only human being who never sinned.(as a child the sinlessness of Jesus was something unique in Jesus that I was in "awe" of Him) Even children know that we are not perfect. I think even young children know that God is perfect. The one thing that I did not know as a child was that the Lord is a very personal God who does answer prayer.
In my early adult years, my sister-in-law who was also a Christian, told me that God really does answer prayer personally. This one little seed was planted in my mind that later would be the starting point that I trusted that the Lord would possibly answer my prayers.
I had been practicing the piano in my music room when I sensed the deepness of my sin, that of my self centered nature, and I humbly prayed to God for forgiveness. I needed to be humble. I think I had become more self confident, which doesn't leave a lot of room to rely on God on a daily basis. Self confidence is not a bad thing, but too much of it leads to pride. I cannot recall what year it was other than my three oldest children were very young. I knew at that moment that my prayer had been heard. Not only did I know that I was forgiven, but everything in my nature changed. My heart changed and at this point in time, every area of my life began to transform in a very personal way. The goodness of God exceeds the limits of our finite minds.
I have to press toward the life that the Lord wants me to live. But even when I fail or fall short, He is a merciful, loving God. None of us are without sin even as believing Christians.) The difference for the Christian is He's forgiven and does not enjoy sin or want to continue in it. He discovers the God of all comfort, the God who is a present help in time of trouble, and a Soverign God who controls all things. He works His good purposes for us individually, and yes, in a very personal way.
The most satisfying success I find in my daily endeavors of life comes through the strength that only the Lord can give. I pray in thankfulness for all things. Even in the simple things we enjoy are blessings. He gives us the ability to enjoy life and to enjoy whatever work our hands find to do.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Backyard Gardening
We have started our backyard garden. (I'm very excited as I think this year it may actually do well.) My DH made a raised bed garden. We're getting older and though I don't think we are quite in the "elderly" age bracket yet, it is becoming a challenge to do certain physical things we once did with ease. The level of effort it once took to do certain things has been ratched up a bit. (What age would be appropriate to describe elderly anyway??)
I could hardly believe my DH was so willing to dig, weed, haul 50 lb. bags of garden dirt and fertilizer. He's always very helpful. I am blessed. If it were me and he asked me to do that I probably would have said "Are you out of your mind?"...not really. I would only think it. I wouldn't say it out loud. (I know, it's just as bad to think it as to say it. ( I do appreciate that he is supportive of my endeavors, even if it's manual labor contributed on his part.)
Living in Florida is not like gardening elsewhere. I have at least 4 books on gardening. Two are books on Florida gardening. However, there is a great difference in temperatures and dirt in North Florida and South Florida. These Florida gardening books seem to relate more to North than South Florida.
We've previously had good results with tomatoes, bell peppers, and okra.
I have not yet accomplished growing yellow summer squash. Last year the rain beat it to death and what was left was attacked by snails. I've read up this year and hope to meet the bug challenge with success.
Ground egg shells in the garden are a deterant to snails and I also bought a snail insecticide. The insecticide are small pellets that are sprinkled around the plant to keep the snails off.
(The snails also destroyed the green beans last year.) I'm as persistant as these bugs and I'm looking forward to the day I can post some pics of some squash and green beans!
Today we planted green beans at the back of the yard next to a chain link fence that the beans (hopefully) will be growing off the fence. We had to make a raised bed next to the fence also. We have dogs and they would most likely destroy the beans if not in a raised bed. I recently read that it might be a good idea to cover the area the beans are planted in with chicken wire to prevent birds from eating the young bean plants and seeds. I had only considered the insects and not birds. This is almost funny. The next project may be a scarecrow for the garden.
I forgot to mention that we have been successful in growing pineapples. They grow easily here all year long. The pineapple plant has an almost thorny type leaf and the leaf is so tough it would be difficult for most insects to eat. (one for the humans!!)
I could hardly believe my DH was so willing to dig, weed, haul 50 lb. bags of garden dirt and fertilizer. He's always very helpful. I am blessed. If it were me and he asked me to do that I probably would have said "Are you out of your mind?"...not really. I would only think it. I wouldn't say it out loud. (I know, it's just as bad to think it as to say it. ( I do appreciate that he is supportive of my endeavors, even if it's manual labor contributed on his part.)
Living in Florida is not like gardening elsewhere. I have at least 4 books on gardening. Two are books on Florida gardening. However, there is a great difference in temperatures and dirt in North Florida and South Florida. These Florida gardening books seem to relate more to North than South Florida.
We've previously had good results with tomatoes, bell peppers, and okra.
I have not yet accomplished growing yellow summer squash. Last year the rain beat it to death and what was left was attacked by snails. I've read up this year and hope to meet the bug challenge with success.
Ground egg shells in the garden are a deterant to snails and I also bought a snail insecticide. The insecticide are small pellets that are sprinkled around the plant to keep the snails off.
(The snails also destroyed the green beans last year.) I'm as persistant as these bugs and I'm looking forward to the day I can post some pics of some squash and green beans!
Today we planted green beans at the back of the yard next to a chain link fence that the beans (hopefully) will be growing off the fence. We had to make a raised bed next to the fence also. We have dogs and they would most likely destroy the beans if not in a raised bed. I recently read that it might be a good idea to cover the area the beans are planted in with chicken wire to prevent birds from eating the young bean plants and seeds. I had only considered the insects and not birds. This is almost funny. The next project may be a scarecrow for the garden.
I forgot to mention that we have been successful in growing pineapples. They grow easily here all year long. The pineapple plant has an almost thorny type leaf and the leaf is so tough it would be difficult for most insects to eat. (one for the humans!!)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
BANANA BREAD
This is an improved recipe. It has sour cream in the batter and it improves the moistness and texture. The loaf pan is also greased, floured, and dusted with cinnamon/sugar. It takes about an hour to bake.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans, if desired lightly sprinkle with a cinnamon sugar mix
Mix together well: 1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
Add 2 eggs, 3 over ripe bananas mashed or processed well, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
In a separate bowl or on wax paper, mix together 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
and then add to the butter/sugar batter.
If desired lightly toast 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts in a toaster oven tray, chop nuts and add to the banana bread batter. Lightly toasting the nuts greatly improves the flavor of the nuts in recipes. Another option is to sprinkle the batter lightly with cinnamon sugar before baking. I haven't tried this yet, so ican't comment on this addition other than others have done it and liked it.
Bake for about an hour. Check with a tooth pick to be certain the bread is thoroughly cooked.
I prefer to refrigerate my baked banana bread after the first servings are cut. It will stay in a refrigerator for at least a week or can be frozen.
Also, I recently discovered you can freeze your over ripe bananas in the skin, thaw and peel when you need them.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans, if desired lightly sprinkle with a cinnamon sugar mix
Mix together well: 1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
Add 2 eggs, 3 over ripe bananas mashed or processed well, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
In a separate bowl or on wax paper, mix together 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
and then add to the butter/sugar batter.
If desired lightly toast 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts in a toaster oven tray, chop nuts and add to the banana bread batter. Lightly toasting the nuts greatly improves the flavor of the nuts in recipes. Another option is to sprinkle the batter lightly with cinnamon sugar before baking. I haven't tried this yet, so ican't comment on this addition other than others have done it and liked it.
Bake for about an hour. Check with a tooth pick to be certain the bread is thoroughly cooked.
I prefer to refrigerate my baked banana bread after the first servings are cut. It will stay in a refrigerator for at least a week or can be frozen.
Also, I recently discovered you can freeze your over ripe bananas in the skin, thaw and peel when you need them.
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