The Weedy Garden, the Harvest so far, and My Best Deal of the Week!

The garden turned out to be a weedy mess.  Between the rain and my back it was more of disaster than anything else.  But we were able so far to pick enough green beans for two dinners and three quarts to can.  I guess you call this small batch canning.

We picked greasy beans and Kentucky wonders.  They were delicious.

We ran out of potatoes in the house and husband was able to dig a half of a row.  I brought some in and others I'm letting dry in the garage.

We know exactly were everything is planted in this mess, thank goodness.  I know that the white half runner beans are in there and we are going to pick them soon.  Hopefully we will get a good harvest.  I'm thankful for anything this year.

My best deal of the week:  I went to Walmart yesterday and was able to buy 4 bags of potting mix for next Spring at $5.00 a bag. 

 Sorry to have missed last week.  I'm pretty sure every part of my body has been tested but I know there is something that I haven't thought about. They want to get to the bottom of the blood clots and know what caused them.  I want to know the answers too but the anxiety of waiting on the results has not been fun.  I've learned to pray deeply. 

I go to physical therapy for my back a couple of times a week and I'm doing much better.  Still pain but walking is better.  Distance walking and steps can be a nightmare.  It just takes time.

I'm looking forward to next week just the physical therapy and no doctors.  I need peace for a week!  

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

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A Easy Way to Peel Tomatoes!

 

Even though the garden is a weedy mess, I'm getting the tomatoes. Not a bounty but enough to can a few jars.  

I found the easiest way this year to peel tomatoes and you can get the job done in no time!

I first cut out the core of all the tomatoes.

I then put them in freezer bags and stick them in the freezer.  I like to put them in one layer, otherwise you have a frozen blob. Yep, been there and tried that.  

When I got ready to can I put them in a bowl full of warm water and the peel just comes right off! 

Here they are ready to put in a pot to boil for canning.

There you are, a fast and easy way to peel tomatoes! 

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook where I share free ebooks,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog

Fishing, Chicken Dinner Deal, and You Can't beat Free!

 

We took a little trip to one of my favorite a little up north places, East Tawas, on the Lake Hurton shoreline.  It was cooler and of course beautiful.  We loved every minute of it.  We went fishing but of course we didn't catch anything and we visited my favorite store, Ben Franklin.  Fun and relaxing is what we both needed.  

We were able to visit the Tawas lighthouse.  I was unable to climb the tower but we were able to look at the living quarters.  

Interesting tidbit:  They had a oil room right in the house but somewhere along the way they decided that it was a fire hazard and built a building to hold the oil away from the house. I'm glad they got smart.

I almost forgot, we were visited by a mink on the boardwalk.  This is something I never seen before. It's like a small squirel with fur. He would come and take away our very small fish.

Gordon's food service by us has a deal, after 4 p.m. until 6 p.m, a rotisserie chicken for $3.00. Cole Slaw or Potato Salad for $3.00, and Hawaiin rolls for $2.00.  They said it was only at a few locations.

I bought 2 of the rotisserie chickens and the rest of the deal.   I made two big chicken fajita freezer meals out of the one and we had the other for dinner.  

Hint:  Sign up for their emails.

So far this past week I was able to get two green peppers, 6 cukes, and two large zucchinis for free.  People sit them out in front of their driveway on a table for free.  You gotta love that.

Now to make some zucchini bread.

How's it going at your house?  How have you saved this week?

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook where I share free ebooks,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog

Book Review: Into the Starlight (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing Book #3) by Amanda Cabot

 

Into the Starlight (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing Book #3): (Three Sisters Facing Mystery and Romance in the 1880s Texas Hill Country) 

                                              by Amanda Cabot

After more than a year in Europe, Joanna Vaughn returns to Sweetwater Crossing, her dreams of becoming a concert pianist shattered. As if that weren't enough, her husband, whom she married after a whirlwind courtship, has died. The only thing sustaining her on the journey back to Texas was the thought of her childhood home. But to Joanna's dismay, she's changed so much that the place she once loved no longer feels like home.

After his fiancée married his partner and both blamed him for a patient's death, 

Dr. Burke Finley believes it's time for a change. A quick trip with his almost-aunt

Della Samuels to Sweetwater Crossing turns into an extended stay to 

discover what happened to his uncle and her would-be husband.

But the beautiful and musical Joanna makes it more than bearable.

 
As the two join forces to help Della, there is no denying the attraction felt on 

both sides. But ghosts from the past are coming to call--

and threatening to destroy any chance at happily-ever-after.

 
Get swept away by this emotional tale of family, friendship,and the kind of love that overcomes  every obstacle.

My Review:

This third installment of the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing is the last of the series but this is the first one I've read.  It's a story all on its own and I was able to pick right up on the charactors. Of course now I want to back up and read the first two books in the series.

I loved the suspense, the love, the forgiveness, and the description of the surroundings that kept me wanting to read more.  I felt as though I was right there in their midst. Second chances in life are present and it gives hope for a new start in life no matter the circumstance.

Just when you think they will just go on and give up finding the answer to the mystery, it is revealed.  I had no idea and I love that.

What a great story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here).  Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden

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The Harvest and My Summer Crochet, Don't Think About it Afaghan, is Done!

Because of the rain, the mosquitos have been relentless this year.  They will swarm you and you will run for cover.  Oh, you can cover up with all the clothes you want but they will attack your face.  So, instead of waiting till it's cool in the evenings to go to the garden I try to go out between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m, if I can stand the heat.  

We have started harvesting, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, and we dug some new potatoes (they were fine-no rot).

I love having easy summer side dishes -I just slice a tomato and cucumber and cook the new potatoes with a can of green beans from last years harvest.  Our green beans will probably be ready the end of August.

FYI-we just buy some corn from the local farmer and the chicken was Sam's.  

Tomato sandwiches in the evening  have been something I could never get tired of!  

Last night I finished my summer, don't think about it afaghan.   I wanted something to do without worrying about a pattern.  It was just double crochet and then I put a border around it.  Easy!  

How's it going at your house?  How have you saved this week?

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook where I share free ebooks,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog

Book Review of Ambush in the Mountain by Mary Alford Plus a Giveaway!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ambush in the Mountains by Mary Alford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Ambush in the Mountains
Author: Mary Alford
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: July 23, 2024
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Innocent lives at stake… 

Can a former soldier and his canine save them? 

Helping a pregnant woman he comes across in a mountain storm puts Axel Sterling right into the path of ruthless human traffickers. Now it’s up to the ex-soldier and his dog to keep Summer and her unborn baby safe from the abductors she’s finally escaped. But between the icy wilderness and the armed gunmen following them at every turn, one wrong move could cost Axel and Summer their lives.  

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

My thoughts:

Terrible things can happen and they did to Summer when she believed what a evil man had to say.  This fast paced suspenseful book follows her as she runs as fast as she could away from human traffickers.  Summer finally found the courage to run but it took faith to put her trust in Axel and his dog who only wanted to help.

The descriptions made me feel as though I was there with Summer and Axel as they tried to get to safety in blizzard conditions.  I could feel the cold of the blinding snow as they almost went off a cliff and I felt how scared they were as they seen lights from the enemy  approaching.  The danger was always around the corner as they tried to get to safety. 

The suspense kept me turning the pages and I never wanted to put the book down even for a minute.  What a great book!  

About the Author

Mary Alford is a USA Today bestselling author who loves giving her readers the unexpected, combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that result in stories the reader can't put down. Her titles have been finalists for several awards, including the Daphne Du Maurier, the Beverly, the Maggie, and the Selah. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog.

Connect with Mary at maryalford.net to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $50 Amazon gift card and a print copy of Ambush in the Mountains!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 22, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 29, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

How We Saved Over $200.00 this Past Week!

Groceries are high but we try to combat it by getting the deals here and there.  We shop at multiple stores some weeks if we have the time.  I know this might not work for everyone with a busy schedule though but if it saves money it's worth a few extra minutes.

Flashfood

We had a new store for us (Dashmart) come on the Flashfood app and I was able to get Nathan's hot dogs for $2.55 (5 of them) and 2- 1 lb of butter for $2.99 each.  A savings of $18.00.

The very next day there was a $5.00 off $10.00 code for that store and I bought Dr. Pepper (12 pk) for $4.99 grandson (he loves that stuff), two lunchables for granddaughter at $2.14, and  Heinz tomato no sugar ketchup for $2.00.  All for $6.83.  A savings that day of around $15.00

If you haven't downloaded and use the app for Flashfood before you can use my code VICK36PZH and if you spend over $10 we both get $5.00 in rewards.

Sam's

Not wanting to dig our potatoes just yet we happened across a deal at Sam's for 10 lbs of baking potatoes for $5.00.  We bought 2.

I am curious how the potatoes are growing so we might dig a mess of new potatoes soon.  We're a little worried about rot after all this rain we had.  

At least $10.00 saved.

Free Installation

Well one day the microwave just quit.   I think I mentioned it to you before how it just was over and done.  It lasted 10 years so not too bad.  We finally bought a microwave (an over the stove one) and they said it would be $200 to install.  Almost has much money as the microwave itself!  Husband spent a day taking down the old one and installing the new one.  A lot of trouble he said but worth it.

How's it going at your house?  How have you saved this week?

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook where I share free ebooks,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog