My Frugal Ways this Past Week 8/20/17!

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Here are the ways I've saved this past week:

We have been harvesting the garden this past week.  So far we picked a total of 2 1/4 bushels of green beans.

We picked all of our rows of white half runner beans.   The rattlesnake are not ready yet.  

While I'm canning this morning I have the dehydrator going to dry
green beans. We love cooking shuck beans in the winter months.    

I've also canned 14 pint sized jars of pickled beets this week. We bought these at the farmers market.  Sometimes you just have to buy them if you are not able to grow them (those deer).   I have more to can later throughout the week.  

I swapped green beans for some peaches with my friend.  Really we just gave them to each other. 😄 

We had a abundance of cucumbers so I tried making cucumber bread.  It was very good.  

Took the Kroger survey for more fuel points.  

Took the grandchildren to see a free educational program about snakes put on by the local park.

We went to our neighbors garage sale and found some great deals. Total paid $15.00   I was so excited about the fabric, that I went back the next day she was open and bought some more.



What was on the dinner table this past week:


Monday       Hot Dogs (he secretly bought some hot dogs that I guess you can only buy in the U.P.)- let it go, let it go

Tuesday       Roast with potatoes and carrots. 

Wednesday  Out to eat

Thursday      Green Beans, fried chicken wings, and cornbread

Friday          Leftovers 

Saturday      Grilled Chicken, baked potato, sliced cucumbers, and sliced tomatoes

Sunday         BBQ Chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, sliced tomatoes and cukes if any are ready today, and biscuits.  



My Goals:

I want to continue cleaning out and sorting the cupboards while the beans or beets are in the canner.  I was inspired by Emily to get moving on this project.   I love to break up jobs into smaller pieces to finally get them done. 

Make a menu plan for the three days the grandchildren are here. These are my hardest days to come up with something that they can and will eat.  

Learn how to make naan bread.   Annabel's just looks so good.  Her cooking always looks so delicious!  



What ways have you saved this past week?

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This post has been linked to The Art of Home-making Mondays, 

Suggestions for What Food to take to a Cabin

This past April we rented a cabin and this past weekend we finally went for a our little summer trip to the U.P. of Michigan. This is our second time we have stayed in a cabin up there and we love it. There were six of us total including the two grandchildren and we had plenty of room and beds.  We were able to enjoy breakfast in our PJ's and come home after sight seeing all day to a bonfire or read a book quietly on the deck.  

Just to be clear this cabin was modern not rustic.  We are just not that kind of people ha ha.  So we had t.v., internet, indoor bathroom, refrigerator, and stove.  The cabin was very pretty and set in a wooded plot of land with a stream flowing by at the bottom of the hill.  I should mention it was a very cold stream, freezing is a good word.     

The cabin, they said, wasn't supplied with everything you would need but they did have pots, pans, cups, plates, silverware, and a coffee pot.  Now I didn't want to cook all the time so we planned on one big meal out everyday.   I took fixings for breakfast and something to make for a sandwich at night.

We also didn't want to wash dishes all day so we brought paper plates, napkins, etc.   We ended up only washing a couple of things a day.

Space was limited in our vehicle but here is what I took with us. A great deal of this just came from my pantry and freezer.  I started looking for groceries to take with us a month or more before we left so I could get them on sale.  Prices were definitely higher in the U.P.  I'm not sure it was because it was a tourist type town or that they have to truck their food in from a long distance away.  It could be a little of both.  I put my foot down though when I saw the $3.00 price for a small loaf of bread and decided we had enough to last us.   Next time I will take 2 loaves of bread! 

This list was for our family of  4 adults and 2 children for a 3 night/4 day stay.  

Paper

Napkins

Toilet Paper (they gave a limited supply)

Paper Plates and bowls

Plastic Silverware

Coffee filters

Dish washing soap

Snacks (because you see we might starve to death)

Marshmallows

Hershey's Candy Bars 

Graham crackers

Pork Rinds

Popcorn in a bag

cheezits

Potato chips

Trail Mix

Raisins

Fudge stripe cookies  I ate them before we left

Good Food

Oil (small jar)

Cooking spray

Pancake mix 

Two boxes of cereal (Raisin bran and Cocoa Krispies)

Oatmeal

Beef snack sticks

Breakfast Sausage

Hot dogs (for the bonfire)

Bread

Hot dog buns

Bologna


Drinks

Water

Pop (only enough to fill the cooler)

Juice boxes for kids

Coffee (including filters)

For breakfast we had: egg sandwiches, cereal, oatmeal,  fried bologna, and sausage and eggs.  We never used the pancake mix.  

For late night snacks we had: bologna sandwiches, cereal, and hotdogs.   

Tips:

You may still need to shop at a grocery store. We bought milk, almond milk, butter, soda pop, eggs, and water at the local grocery store as soon as we got there.  

We took a small cooler filled with water and pop everyday we went site seeing. I made sure to fill up the ice trays that were in the freezer a couple of times a day so we didn't have to buy any ice. So much cheaper than buying individual drinks along the way.


We took our bonfire sticks for the marshmallows for smores.  We were lucky that there was enough wood around at the campfire that we didn't have to buy any on the road.  Really, though for the $7.00 or $8.00 you may have to pay for a stack of firewood, it's cheap fun. 


We noticed that people had left things that would prove to be very helpful if you forgot something.  There were half filled bottles of shampoo, lighter fluid, charcoal, etc.  Make sure to open a cupboard and check before you make a unnecessary trip to the store.  We wanted to keep in the spirit of things so we left the rest of our coffee and a small bottle of dish washing soap.

Wash the dishes before you use them!   It may have been awhile since someone has used that bowl and it could be full of dust.  Yes, it happened.  
  

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This post has been linked to Financially Savvy Saturday, The Art of Home-making Mondays,

Book Review: The Return (Amish Beginnings Book #3) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The links in this post may contain affiliate links.   When you order from something from one of my links I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  You can read my  full disclosure policy here. Thanks so much for helping support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden!

The Return (Amish Beginnings Book #3)

I was deep in the heart of Chippewa territory in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when I started reading most of this book.   It was a perfect setting to keep me turning the pages of this history laden story. Suzanne Woods Fisher interweaves suspense, controversy, romance, history, and faith in such a way it grabs and keeps you on the edge till the end.  Inspired by true events she didn't leave out a thing when describing the way of life for these newcomers, especially the danger that could be around every corner.  

There were so many great characters in this book, but my favorite character had to be Tessa.  Her story is one of the ages regarding growing up and finding true love.  A story that we all can relate to.

Such a wonderful, wonderful read that I want to read it again!  

This is book 3 of the series Amish Beginnings but I feel it can be read alone. You can read my review of Amish Beginnings Book #2 The Newcomer here. 

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed here are my own.


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This Past Week in Our Home: A Trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

The links in this post may contain affiliate links.   When you order from something from one of my links I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  You can read my  full disclosure policy here. Thanks so much for helping support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden!

It seems like this summer has just flew by and it was time finally to take our trip to the U.P. of Michigan. We rented our cabin back in April for this trip and I was able to pay for my part of the cabin with the money I saved from my piggy bank!    It was a trip I hope the grandchildren especially the grandson will always remember.   

Our first adventure was at Tahquamenon Falls.  So pretty but really this picture does not do it justice. You see, I snapped this picture in a hurry so I could get back to the vehicle.   

We were greeted when we came out of the resturant at the falls with a flat tire.  All would have been well except we realized pretty quickly that this flat was beyond repair (apparently, we ran over something big).  Then we discovered we had just a little problem, the spare was rusted stuck in the little hole underneath the vehicle. Yep, we went from bad to worse.  We called the local towing company for help  from the little souvenir shop (no cell phone service that far back in the woods). About an hour and half later, much to the delight of our little grandson, we finally got the spare on.  He just loved watching the whole operation.  Then we were on our way to get a real tire in the closet town  We were blessed that we found a used tire place because no one had a new one this size. Another happy moment of watching for the grandson.

You know while I was waiting for the tow truck with my husband I imagined quite a bill.  Isn't it funny how your imagination can just go over board and the unnecessary worry you can inflect upon yourself.  I should depend on God more I think know and leave my worries to him.  In end the total cost of the tow truck was $130.00 and the used tire was $30.00 (balanced and installed).  Really it wasn't bad at all in the long run.  It was quite a bit lower than what I had figured in my head and it had to be done.  It was all fixed in no time flat 😉, we were happy and on our way again.  We really never mentioned it again we just went on and had a good time.  

Now that we are back I foresee a complete set of new tires and I think it's time for a no spend week or two!  Time for more of my frugal ways!  

Throughout our stay we saw a total of 6 different waterfalls and I think we only skimmed the service.  They are just beautiful! 

We also took a boat to see the Pictured Rocks on the Lake Superior shoreline.  This view of the shoreline though is from above at the park.  

Back at the cabin I found quiet  times when the kids were taking a bath or early in the morning to read and finish my book I took along, The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher.  I actually picked the perfect book to take as we were right in the heart of Chippewa country.  It was one of those books I just couldn't put it down.  

The last night of our stay we went to a Pow Wow put on by the local Chippewa tribe at a nearby park that was free.  Let me tell you this trip made the grandson very happy!  

Have you had a great vacation to remember this summer?

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Rosemary and Thyme Marinated Grilled Chicken

I have been having a bountiful harvest of herbs that have been growing in my Mother's old washtub. It sets on my patio just off the kitchen door.  When I need some herbs I just take a few steps and cut all I want.  I used to have the herbs in the backyard vegetable garden and I hated to walk out there then the herbs were forgotten.  I think the trick is to have them as close to the kitchen as possible. 

I make sure to grow only what I love and nothing else.  So rosemary, thyme, chives, and oregano are filling up most of the the tub.  Everyone likes basil but it's just not for me. I know that's unbelievable!    

To start this recipe, I picked a sprig (branch) each of rosemary and thyme and chopped them fine (about a tbsp. of chopped herbs).

I mixed the herbs with 1 stick of melted butter

I put the chicken and the herb mixture in a bag  and mixed it well. You can use a Ziploc or even reuse a clean empty cereal bag like I did.  Then put it in a bowl or on a plate  in the refrigerator to marinate.  I marinated this for a couple of hours.  

Then the chicken breasts were grilled outside until done and nicely browned.  



Rosemary and Thyme Marinated Grilled Chicken

I stick of butter (melted)
a sprig each of rosemary and thyme (equals about 1 tblsp total)
2 to 3 pounds of chicken breast

Chop the rosemary and thyme fine and mix with the stick of melted butter (1/2 cup).   Marinate in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or longer.   Grill until done and nicely browned.  


Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!  

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This post has been linked to Happiness is Homemade, Making a Home-Homemaking Linky, The Penny Pinching Party, Full Plate Thursday, Thrifty Thursday, Awesome Life Friday,

Preview Review of the "All Saints" Movie plus enter to win a Giveaway of 2 Fandango Movie Ticket Codes!

I'm a  Featured Contributor of the All Saints Influencer Program.

ALL SAINTS is based on the inspiring true story of salesman-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock (John Corbett), the tiny church he was ordered to shut down, and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. Together, they risked everything to plant seeds for a future that might just save them all.

My thoughts:  

Even though I haven't seen this movie yet (release date is 8/25/17) I have so enjoyed watching the trailers.  You can sense the love of the community, the need for this church to continue, and the wonderful hope for a dying church.  The struggles they have are real and I know in my heart with God's help they will get through them.  You know when your doing something great and helping others miracles just seem to happen.   

The star of All Saints, John Colbert (who plays Pastor Michael Spurlock),  says it was the best decision he ever made to be a part of this movie.  To think he almost didn't take it!  I can tell his role is what makes this movie come alive.  "All Saints" releases 8/25/17 and I can't wait to be able to see it soon.    

This giveaway is only open to United States residents only.

Giveaway:  Enter to win 2 Fandango Movie Tickets to see "ALL Saints"!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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This Week in Our Home: Memories

I have been absent for a couple of days on the blog and I thought I would let you know where we have been.   

We celebrated the life of my husband's Father this past week.  He was 94 when he passed away this past week.  We will miss him for sure. The pastors spoke about his long life and how much he must of seen throughout the years.   I can only imagine and hope that I will be able to live as long.   

My favorite way to remember him was that he was a great gardener who was willing to help us newbies get their first garden in.      

Here are some gardener tips he gave me that I remember:

1.  If you are going to weed the onions don't use a hoe.  

2.  Don't plant too deep they will never come up.  He joked about us digging a hole to China.  

3.  Save your seed.   They made a effort to save their seeds every year.  Many were heirloom like greasy beans and six week beans. 

4.  Garden till you absolutely can't anymore.   He loved it and was able to garden until just a few years ago!

5.  Grow enough if you can to give some away.   He was always willing to share his harvest.  


Then there were the little things (that are actually big things) that you remember of a persons life.  The pastors spoke about him carrying gum and offering a stick of gum to everyone while at church. I never got a stick of gum in 30 some odd years (really) but he never failed to ask me when I walked in the door did I want some sort of cake or treat.   Of course he caught us as we were leaving and made sure he loaded up our trunk every time with garden produce or canned goods.   Hospitality and caring can be a big thing.   


We will always have great memories of him.

I took the picture of the butterfly by his house.  They seemed to be flying everywhere.  Beautiful!  


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