That Time of Year

 Time for the yearly shear

This particular method gives long layers.

I have also just given myself a blunt cut.

Initial chop, 7 inches, then some zhuzhing

Ingredients Household

 I am not an Ingredient Household.

Meaning to have ingredients not premade foods.
I am trying to make more

Example: Sour Mix

So I looked it up and made it for pennies instead of going out and getting the packet kind or in a bottle.

Easy Peasy and just enough so it won't go to waste.

Reuse

 Oil edition

I made pork dumplings

Takes a lot of oil

I let it cool, strained it

And have since used it for other frying needs

Cheap eats part ???

I first blogged about this July 2022, but worth repeating...

Pizza is fast and frugal to make.

So is Stromboli, same dough. 

Just roll out, add meats, sauce, cheese.

Roll up, bake 350f for 30 minutes

Corks

 And another wreath.

I like wine.  People know this, so they give me corks.

This is my 3rd cork wreath.

Cardboard base, hot glue and corks, and clearance bow

I have enough corks to make yet another one.

NEW to me...

I was shopping for a black top.

Found one.

Goodwill  $6.99

50% OFF paid $3.49

Be Prepared

Being prepared saves money.

We have a planned power outage tonight into early morning.

The USDA recommends throwing out food after 4 hours in fridge without power.

So..... I have made several bags of ice and ice blocks to put in the refrigerator and freezer right before outage to keep the temp nice and cold.  Do Not open door during this time.  I know how long the outage is supposed to last, so I planned for that time.

I have also gathered candles, charged flashlights and phones/ipads.

I will have a large thermos of ice water for drinking and keeping cool.  We are lucky the temp will be cool tonight.

If you have a fridge door ice/water dispenser, remove ice from maker, it will thaw and pour out the front of your fridge.

Ice being made

Candles, lighter and matches gathered

Candles in Bathroom

Candles in Master bathroom

Leftovers and free Pesto

 Leftover chicken, and free pesto

A friend gave me a basil plant

Yummy meal, sauteed chicken with tomato and peppers

Whipped up pesto with basil and olive oil

add pasta...dinner

Not Trash

 I have said it before

Just a reminder...

Scraps are not trash, they can be soup.

Freeze your scraps, then when ready, boil your bones and veggies to make a chicken stock...Yumm

I needed some things...Part 2

 I didn't have an ipad cover, but started to take it with me, so I need one

Thus....with the yarn I had on hand....cost free (Yarn was given to me)

I needed some things...Part 1

 I went on a trip and needed a small purse.

So I made one with the stuff I had on hand.

Chicken thighs

 We know thighs are cheaper, though fattier than breast.

I debone them, and save the bones to make broth.

Great on the grill, air fryers, in fried rice,  you name it.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

 I am so lucky

A friend gave me a crochet book to make mythical creatures.

I love it.

I made a Gargoyle for my son.  Then a Kraken, then another Kraken.

Something new and challenging for me to try.

I gave a Kraken to my buddy who gave me the book

Learning to crochet a Kraken

Gartholomew the Gargoyle

Repeat, but a good one PIZZA

 Homemade Pizza

Ready to go in 40+ minutes

I make the dough in a food processor

Let it rest/rise 10 minutes

Roll out, add toppings

Bake 30 minute

Cost...this time $4.03

Everyday Frugal

Today I made dinner with leftover chicken.

Soft chicken tacos.

Made the tortillas.  Store bought .31 a piece, homemade .13 a piece

Shredded cheese instead of buying shredded cheese.

Made coffee at home with cream and sugar.  About .25 vs whatever it costs to purchase.

Reused plastic zipper food bags.

Made iced tea, by using tea bags not an instant mix.

I used less the recommended amount of laundry detergent and still cleans perfectly.

When I do use dryer sheets, I cut them in half.

Little things do add up.

Revive

Doing home repair

Needed to fill in a few dings in woodwork.  The plastic wood/wood putty was dry.

I rehydrated with 100% acetone.  I don't use water because it dilutes the glue and takes longer to dry.

Practically Free

Long Story Shortened

A local bar/restaurant I frequent gave me their used oranges.

They squeeze lots of oranges and lemons at the bar.

I am making citrus cleaner with them.

Orange peels in jar (No metal tops touching) Fill with vinegar.

Let sit 2 to 4 weeks.  I do 2 ish

Strain, use full strength or cut with more vinegar.  Do not use on marble or granite. Store in fridge up to a 2 months.  I use from a spray bottle.

I say practically free, because I was out of vinegar and bought a gallon for 2.74

Look at all these oranges.  I peeled them all

First jar done.  

Clean and reusing glass jars

3 out of 4 jars

Made it Myself

 I wanted tacos.  No shells

Taught myself to make soft tacos shells/tortillas.  Because I was too lazy to go out and buy some.

Dough is resting

• 3 cups all-purpose flour


• 1 teaspoon kosher salt 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, vegetable oil or other neutral flavored oil
• 1 cup warm water

Combine dry ingredients in mixer with dough hook

Add oil and water

Mix to make ball, smooth dough

make 16 balls on floured surface

Cover let rest for 15 min

roll out flat

Cook in hot  skillet 10-15 seconds, for brown spots, flip

Online Ordering

 In my experience, I have learned if you put something into an online cart, then leave the site, you usually get an email stating you left something and get an extra 20% off coupon.

Now I assume you need to have an account with that site and logged in so they know where to send coupon code.