Local Salvage Groceries This Week

I LOVE going to a local grocery salvage-goodwill type store.

It totally makes my day every time I go.  I get to try out new products, new brands, and it reminds me of foods I like, but don’t tend to buy at the store on a regular basic, but will, for less than a buck a box, without the bother of coupons (and you all know how I love me some good coupons!)

I Can’t resist an olive green zip up three ring. Cannot. For $1, it has entered my habitat.

I’m having an Easter Egg hunt THIS weekend–one of mine didn’t get one in…know where I can find some good candy still?

BLURRY PHOTO SERIES; Bananas $1.49, Extra Bold Goldfish $.99, Breakfast Oatmeal bars (Never tried them–fun!)

BLURRY PHOTO SERIES; Chewy Granola bars, Chocolate Chip, my fav, $.99, also, gingerbread cookies, which I’m loving with tea right now, and some chocolate-carmel things by Wether…not so crazy about those, but only a buck risk.

Professional Pam…who knew? Was $1.99, but I was feeling up for it.

$1, ONE DOLLAR, and it still feels soft. I’m thrilled, love this bread for a “me” treat. (No, my kids won’t touch it–all the better in my view!)

Mmmm, a salad is calling my name 3/$1.20 (chick peas/Garbanzo beans)

Ah, after shopping, my $.50 foot massage (yes, that’s leopard print…will look GREAT under my desk)

I LOVE these jars…no idea what I’ll do with it, but for $.50, who could resist?

Also pictured somewhere are a little roll of  Mexican wafers 3/$1.00.  They are like fortune cookie flavor, only flat, in a wafer.  They are crispy, and oh so good with a glass/cup of tea! I’ll be getting some more probably.

Also a box of “Pumkin Gingerlies”  (pumpkin ginger chews, 70% organic, 100% natural, No Transfat.)  They were an NASFT Outstanding Cookie Award finalist, whatever that means.  It also says “Cookies with a Cause” on the package.  I’m not sure what that means exactly either…I know what cause cookies have WITH ME! 

Okay, so on the BACK of the container, it says, “Buttery pumpkin and spicy ginger…crunchy outside and chewy within…for a super-delicious treat, serve warm over vanilla ice cream.” (I plan to try that!)  Also, they placed “2nd in 2001 in the Outstanding Cookie Competition at the International Fancy Food Show, a Contest judged by over 100 of the world’s most respected “foodies”.

When shopping salvage, always check the date on the boxes; sometimes a great date matters, sometimes, it doesn’t matter if it’s a month over.  You decide.

Okay, back to my iced tea, Mexican cookies, and foot massage (note to self, hide from children or I’ll never see it again) for two minutes before I have to run out the door again.

Merry & Bright

Last night’s community college at the church made my season.  It was a Christian, chill producing 50+ Christmas choir in  white shirts and red ties with an energetic, Christian, fun, pull-you-into-it young lady leading. 

Four thumbs up from us.  It was a well-spent family hour.  I begged them to come back next year…hopefully we’ll have more people in the audience than are in the choir.  I know two of the singers from Madisonville who are professionally trained singers, but I didn’t know they were part of it until last night. 

You never know from a college setting what you are going to get, but it was truly a superb performance I hope we utilize more fully next year.

I’m just sitting down to some Cheese Whiz and crackers, waiting on the oven to heat up so that I can cook my pre-formed frozen sausage balls.  Yes, something exists…they aren’t QUITE as good as the Bisquick version, but there is much more I’d rather be doing than washing my hands 15 times while, you know, forming raw sausage. 

The next best thing is pre-formed meatballs, which we are having for supper.  I bought swedish meatballs, some egg noodles, sour cream, and cream of mushroom soup.  I saw the recipe on the ball bag…sounds easy enough, and I’m into EASY cooking right now.  The way I see it, the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals are the two “have to” meals for a mom of the two months while preparing.  The rest of the time, we lose weight on ham and turkey sandwiches and soup!

I am SO excited about my shopping trip today locally!  I’d been praying about (Sssshhh!) my gifts for the women in our family.  [edited out for surprise element!]

For myself, I’m also getting my senior ring, my mother’s bracelet fixed, and my fav gold chain fixed.  It’s been the season for jewelry break-down.  I decided I’d rather wear my favs than get something new really.  I’ve not never found a good jeweler I was comforble with.  I like the folks over there a lot.  I’ll be back.  Hopefully they will be ready soon, though I told him  they didn’t have to be ready by Christmas.  I’m sure they have a lot to get done before then.

Other things that make me totally head-over-heels happy today:

• Peter Pan Peanut Butter (you can argue with me all day long, and Peter Pan is STILL the best).  My kids won’t eat anything else now!  That samanilla scare a while back was very bad for our family for many months while it was off the shelf.  This morning, I had a leftover jar to finish and I STILL am hearing about inferior Peanut Butter and random oil.  Ah, I’m thankful to be able to afford Peter Pan.
• DARLING nativity sets with the scriptures on each piece!  The entire set is on sale at Wal*Mart for $10.00.  Warning, one of them Mary looks cross-eyed, don’t get that one.  I bought several until I find someone who needs one they were so special!  I’m going to rework some gifts having found them! SO neat.
• Modge Podge.  I’ve read about this product over and over and FINALLY found it at Wal*Mart in Matte, and all sorts of finishes.  It’s basically like a glue and an acrylic topper combined to seal dough ornaments, collages, and any paper on wood or other craft projects.  I’m psyched.
• I found some awesome books “The Don’t Sweat Guide to Holidays:  Enjoying the Festivities and Letting Go of the Tension” by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.  They were on sale on a book table for $.75.  It isn’t a Christian based book, and I don’t take everything he says as gospel, but I love his emphasis on keeping things realistic and keeping the main things the main things. I’m putting them in my brothers stockings, I think.  They were 205 pp and great two page bathroom reads for couples.  I’ll probably enjoy it first.     I like books like this to review leading up to holidays.
• Little bags of holiday trinkets and games and pencils for kids at Wal*Mart…I do not have the energy to order Sunday School class gifts, and this SO simplified my life!  Ahhhh!  Thank you, Wal*Mart!  I don’t care what anyone says about you…you made my day, today!
• Kentucky Legend PRE-SLICED ham quarter.  THANK YOU WAL*MART.

Okay, the oven is ready, and I have a gift-wrapping fest planned before the kids need to be picked up in YEESH!  three hours!  So, off I go to munch sausage balls, Biltmore House Hoiliday Wassail (from a mix stirred with Cranapple Juice…thanks to Steve & Chryl last year!), listen to my new Christmas tunes, and WRAP for the kids LIKE A MAD WOMAN!

Blessings to you today!  Share a smile!  Someone I don’t know and will probably never see again waited on me several minutes at the door while my bag broke and I re-bagged things, just to hold a door open for me…it TOTALLY made my day.  Give random acts of kindness!  Today, someone found $20.00 on the sidewalk and asks me three times if it was mine, hesitant to keep it.  I told them it probably wasn’t…and finally I said, just pass it on to someone who needs it if you like.  They looked thoughtful, and nodded.  I think they will.  It’s moments like that that keep the season “merry and bright”!  Make some moments.

Oh my goodness, the jewelry store just called, my engraving is already done!  WOW!  I’m so tickled–okay, MORE tickled.  But, there goes gift wrap fest!  Whew.  I’m going to have to make some TIME!   Maybe I’ll wrap and reward myself with a trip back over there if I stay on task!   Gotta run!!!  No pics today!  Gotta go FAST!

  

Tuesday Happenings.

It’s been a pleasure to receive honest emails on the last couple posts.  Thanks for your transparency and authenticity.  Remember, the goal is that we bless and honor the heart of God, not that we act like other people or try to reach standards of discipline , though discipline is involved. 

If finances are a struggle for you, find the counsel you need to get debt relief, and know the joy that comes from giving.  Giove to him first.  Beyond that, offerings are the cherry on top.  The tithe is the goal.  10%. 

I appreciate the opportunity to try to gently teach other’s in the same way others have so graciously and humbly taught us over the years.  Yes, it’s hard.  But, worth the freedom and joy.

In other news:  today was “jury day”.  I was not randomly selected for the Grand Jury.  I WILL serve on circuit court for at least the next three months.  That will be a child care challenge.  I may have to call on some of you.

~~~

I just settled down for a moment to enjoy a cup of brew from my new Cappuccino maker.  I love me a good cup of decaf, but it’s hard to find good decaf, much less a good cappuccino.  I’m often dissatisfied with the 4 dollar cup at Starbucks (as if we had one).  I found a Mr. Coffee machine for $2.00 yesterday, originally a $100.00 machine. 

It’s a little messy and time consuming, but SO FUN!  I made us some last night and showed my husband the process.  I may have to grace you with another stellar how-to video.  The thing about those videos, expressing how to do things people are interested in is…it invites non-believers to your blog.  Yesterday, I had 1,100 hits to this blog over a random post on scrapbooking I had done last winter.  While people are here, I hope they find a touch of grace and that they long for the joy of Jesus.  Any tools we can use to invite people into our lives, right?

I’ve also been wanting to try out a MAC.  gasp.  Not necessary BUY one, just TRY one.  Why be anxious, oh ye great PC folk?  I’m just trying it, not converting!  Anyway, I found a 1o yr. old college entry level iMac for $5.00 yesterday. I’ve been told they are like a Toyota, they never die and you don’t have to worry about viruses.  They are great for video and graphics, which I need.   

A friend told me where to check for a missing power cord…the gentlemen at that place  gave it to me free!  Now, I just have to procur a USB keyboard and figure out how to find general word processing software on it.  I hope there is some! 

If I could use it to edit pictures in my scrapbook room and print titles for pages, it would be well worth the space in my scrap room.  Space is at a premium in there!  It’s a lovely large green box of a monitor/computer, not the most attractive in the world, but still a fun find!  Good entertainment if nothing else for $5.   

Well, that’s all my rambling and coffee break for today.  Time to go watch my darling little nephews while Mom runs out for a bit.

Frugal Living

For those of you who like frugal living articles, this is an amazing video on how to get watch batteries… CHEAP!  Those things cost an arm and a leg.  I also had great luck once ordering them in bulk for a dollar per from www.thebatteryguys.com.

In other frugal news:  this week I saved myself quite a bit of money clearing out duplicate pictures out of my online wordpress storage.  I went from 80% used to 66% used just clearing out old, duplicate, or un-used pictures I’d uploaded (or ones I forgot to downsize).  It is a very time consuming process, but a good pay-off.