I had a busy week at work. And I spent the most of the weekend grading tests. However, I didn't buy anything this entire week. So, it was a very frugal week.
I still have fruits and veggies bought last week, and I used some items from the stockpile as well. I have been using greens picked from the backyard for juice, omelets, and I even added it to a pasta dish.
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| Lentil pasta with kale. |
I am participating in a Christmas swap on The Homemaker's Forum, so I spent time making my swap item as well. It's almost done. I will post a photo after my swap partner receives it, I don't want to spoil the surprise. 😊
A happy news: I won a pair of handmade socks from a giveaway on one of my favorite blogs, The Awakened Soul. Stephanie is a very talented knitter and a soap maker, so I can't wait to wear these hand knit socks.
I made another batch of granola, but I baked it a bit too much. Fortunately, it still tastes good, so I didn't have to throw it away. Note to myself: Don't grade tests while food is in the oven! 😲
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| Granola. |
I spent sometime making a folder for tried and true recipes. Since I started reading blogs I have been trying new recipes frequently. I like the once that do not need many ingredients and are easy to make. When I have a successful recipe, I either write it down or make a printout. That way, it's easily available even when I'm not online. And I can write down the changes I make to the recipe.
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| My tried & true recipe folder. |
I didn't have time to get the car serviced, so I plan to get it done this Friday. I also have to buy brown rice, milk, meat or fish, and vegetables for the next two weeks. I received a coupon book from BJ's, and it has coupons for ground turkey, brown rice, canned tomatoes and cheese - things that are already on my shopping list. So I want to use them before the expiration date.
No matter how busy I am, I try to read at least several pages of a book each day. I'm almost done reading A Square Meal: a culinary history of the Great Depression by Jane Ziegelman and Andrew Coe. This book is so interesting. It talks about how the Americans were encouraged and learned to cook thrifty meals still fulfilling nutritional needs during the Great Depression. Casseroles became a very popular way to use leftovers and white sauce was used to mask unappetizing taste of many dishes.
I am also reading Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker, but I find it quite disappointing. It offers nothing new. All the 'secrets' she mentions in the book are things I already do and I learned nothing new.
The next book on my iPad is Quiet by Susan Cain.
So, that's my week. A busy, but productive and frugal one. How was your week? Did you read any new books?
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Nil
I'm using the garden in a very similar way to you Nil. Great to walk outside and pick fresh produce and turn it into something delicious.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your swap item and also those lovely socks from Stephanie.
Kylie
Yes Kylie, I love picking fresh greens from the yard. I just pick the amount I need they are completely organic.
DeleteHi Nil, I was thinking of getting some Amish books, anything you can recommend? I am trying to reduce the amount of cookery books on my shelf and photo copy the recipes I use and put them in my homemade recipe folder and then sell the books.
ReplyDeleteHi Marlene, I can't think of any Amish books except the one I am reading now. The book is not bad, but it offers nothing new for me.
DeleteSelling unwanted cookbooks is a great idea. I have an entire bookshelf overflowing with cookbooks. :)
Your granola still looks good. I can't tell that you over cooked it.
ReplyDeleteI read my first Tana French novel, The Trespasser. It's a gritty, Irish, crime story, complex but readable. It was almost TOO gritty for me. I feel like I was holding my breath and saying, "Oh no. . . OH NO," a lot.
I've never read Tana French novels. The book sounds like it would raise my blood pressure. hehee
DeleteI'm in a non-fiction mood these days, so I didn't read any mystery novels lately. :)
Nice job Nil! I've read Money Secrets... too with the same thoughts. At some point (like when you go all week without spending😉) I think the purpose of reading savings books kinda changes from revelations to inspiration with a chance of picking up a little tip here or there. Have a superb Monday.
ReplyDeleteThat's true Lady Locust. I think I have a pretty good handle on money management now, but I still like to read for inspiration and tips, and hope to learn new things. I know there is so much that I still don't know.
DeleteGoing a week without spending is solely due to my laziness. I do NOT like shopping. :)
Hi Nil, I think you could write an excellent book on saving money. Your home cooked food looks delicious. I have been busy knitting your purple socks. Thanks for the mention. I finished the second heel today. I am reading a library book called A Dog's Way Home. The porch is cool and shady, perfect for knitting and reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stephanie. Can't wait to wear the purple socks.
DeleteA Dog's Way Home is also a movie, right? I think the movie is based on the book.