Weekly Goals Update: Week 34

1. Disaster Preparedness
Week 34 was all about dried beans.  I am surprised at the people who are not fond of cooking dried beans.  Not only are they good to have on hand for emergencies, but they are very frugal and healthy.  My favorite way to cook them is in the crock pot.  Sometimes I presoak them, and sometimes I do not.  It just depends. 


2.  Makeover the Garden
I am still cleaning out some areas for fall planting.  It is just too hot right now to think about planting any fall crops.


3.  Organize Recipes
I cleaned out more digital recipes this past week and chose some new recipes to try during September.


4.  Have 13 No Spend Grocery Weeks
I knocked another no spend grocery week out last week.  That brings my total to 10 weeks so far this year.  I am planning a big shop this week that should mostly stock us up for September.  If all goes well, I can get another couple of weeks crossed off next month.


5.  Focus on Saving
My plan for September is to make do with what we have.  I am bartering with a neighbor for a fall decoration.  I am sure we will have some necessary purchases, but I am planning to limit spending as much as possible.


6.  Etsy Store
My plan is to start spending a minimum of four hours a week on my Etsy shop.  I need to make time since just having time is not working out.  The four hours a week plan starts this week.  Wish me luck!

Weekend Book Reviews

Halloween Murder by Leslie Meier is a collection of two Halloween themed short stories.  Lucy Stone is the star of both mysteries although they take place many years apart.  In the first Lucy's children are young and the focus is a town Halloween party.  The town is on edge after a rash of arson that destroys many of the towns oldest buildings.  This is a fun Halloween centered story.  I did not care for the second of the mysteries which was focused completely on witchcraft.  I understand that witches are a big part of Halloween, but the story line was too far fetched for me to believe.  Lucy seems to have no problem with her daughters playing witchcraft and having a "witch" cure her serious poison ivy outbreak with a spell is more science fiction than mystery.

Betty Rowland's first book in the Melissa Craig Mystery series is Murder at Hawthorn Cottage.  Melissa has moved from the city to a small country cottage.  She lives beside one neighbor Iris and her cat Binkie.  Melissa is hoping the quiet country life will help her work on her next mystery novel.  Melissa finds herself in a real life mystery when first Iris and then Melissa herself discover dead bodies and a complicated web suspicious events.  It proves that country life is not always so quiet.  This book has more depth than the usual cozy mystery, but it is still fun and enjoyable to read.

The Trouble with Truth by Kathy Krevat is the second book in the Gourmet Cat Mystery series.  Single mom Colbie and son Elliot have settled into life in Colbie's hometown.  Elliot is starting school and Colbie is set to launch her gourmet cat food into stores.  When one of her part-time chefs is confronted by her former foster family, Colbie steps in to offer support.  After the foster dad is found murdered, the teen chef is at the top of the suspect list.  I adore the characters in this book.  I particularly like the Polish chicken that visits from a nearby farm.  The mystery is strong and has several twists and turns that kept me guessing.  This book tackles social issues without being overly serious.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Frugal Friday

1.  I skipped grocery shopping this past week and made a menu plan for now through the end of September.  I plan to do one big shop for basics and one or two trips for perishable items.  Soon I will be able to plant lettuce again as the temperatures will continue to cool down slightly.

2.  I mentioned earlier in the week that I used an afghan for the main decoration in the social hall at church for pastor appreciation day.  For the table decorations I used items left over from Bible school.  This year's theme was sports so I saved everything that was football related.

3. I filled our trash can yet again and added a bag to my parents' since they had extra room. 


4.  I took care of a matter over the phone which saved a trip into town.  It probably saved a bit of aggravation as well.


5.  A trip to the chiropractor this week took care of my hip and shoulder problems.  It was tempting to spend the next couple of days pulling weeds since I felt so much better.  Instead I took it easy reading in my garden lounge chair while Toby played.  Sometimes being frugal means not doing much.

The Project

*I apologize that this did not show up yesterday.  I scheduled it but never clicked on publish.*

I wanted to do a gift for pastor appreciation day and also wanted something that could double as a decoration for the social hall during the dinner.  I had the great idea of making an afghan.  I found the pattern on Etsy.  I ordered the yarn from Amazon and gave myself two weeks to make it.  I really should have thought of this idea one or two weeks ahead of my two week deadline.  The pattern was well written, but I felt like I spent every spare minute working on it. 

Our pastor was very happy with it, and it made a nice decoration.  Next time I decide to do a large afghan, I will give myself at least three weeks to finish it.  It was a nice accomplishment since I have never crocheted anything so large.  It gives me the courage to try more challenging things!

Weekly Goals Update: Week 33

I did finish "the project" so stop by again tomorrow to see it.  I am hoping (fingers crossed) that this will be a calmer week.  Right now I do not know of anything out of the ordinary going on.  I have plenty to work on though.  My hip is improved, but I do have an appointment with the chiropractor this week. 


1.  Disaster Preparedness
Week 33 was essential fats and oils.  Being a good Southerner, I have plenty of fats and oils on hand.  That includes a large container of Crisco in the pantry at all times.  This was a trickier stock up week.  I am thinking more along the lines of a hurricane or ice storm than the zombie apocalypse when it comes to disaster preparedness.


2.  Makeover the Garden
I have realized that next year I need to seriously scale back how much I plant in each raised bed.  I have one set of fruit trees left to weed this week.  Unfortunately hornworms got into my tomatoes last week and did quite a bit of damage.  I got the last laugh when the chickens gobbled up the worms.  I hope to do some maintenance work in the main garden too.


3.  Organize Recipes
We enjoyed the new recipes I cooked this past week.  I am planning to continue to try more of the ones I have saved and more from some cookbooks. 


4.  Have 13 No Spend Grocery Weeks
I plan to stay out of the grocery store this week.  Even though the grocery store was out of several things on last week's list, I feel certain we can get by.  So far this year, my total is nine.


5.  Focus on Saving
I am planning to stick close to home this week and work on cleaning up the yard and my craft room.  Both are in serious need of attention.


6.  Etsy Store
I am hoping to work on a few more crochet items to add to my Etsy store this week.  If all goes well, that is.

Weekend Book Reviews

Crochet Animal Rugs by Ira Rott features crochet patterns not just for rugs but also for an assortment of matching accessories.  The book includes both row by row directions and charts.  The in progress pictures included are helpful to see how the finished projects go together.  The pictures of the finished projects make me want to do every project included in the book.  It is hard to choose a favorite, but I am partial to Sassy the Kitty Cat.  The projects are rated by skill level which is helpful for new crocheters.  Any of the projects included would make a wonderful gift for the children in your life!

Stephanie L Tourles is the author of Stephanie Tourles's Essential Oils:  A Beginner's Guide.  The book covers a variety of essential oils and includes recipes using them.  The recipes are easy to follow and very useful.  I appreciated that the recipes make use of common essential oils.  Being able to purchase 11 or so to mix and match in the recipes is wonderful for anyone who wants natural remedies without breaking the bank.  I also like the safety information included for each essential oil profiled.  With recipes for everything from sore muscle bath salts to a foot gel for colds and flu, the book is well worth the price.  I will be adding it to my library of natural remedy books.

Engineering for Cats by Mac Delaney feature 10 projects for the felines in your life.  My favorite is the drinking fountain although the cat treat slot machine is a close second.  While all of the projects are fun and useful, I do think they are geared toward people with advance DIY skills.  Each project features a detailed supply list and instructions.  If you are interested in building some clever cat items, this is the book for you!

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

Against the Claw by Shari Randall is the second book in the Lobster Shack Mystery series.  Allie is still home recovering from her broken ankle.  She is helping out at her aunt's lobster shack but continues to work toward the goal of dancing as a ballerina again.  While helping out on a lobster boat, Allie discovers a body which goes unidentified for days.  Allie and her Aunt Gully have there hands full with the regular tourists and a special catering job.  When a second body shows up, Allie ramps up her investigation into the mysterious deaths.  This is a strong second book full of wonderful characters.  Against the Claw easily stands on its own and is a great late summer mystery!

Lucy Burdette's Death on the Menu is the latest book in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series.  Haley is the food critic for Key Zest magazine in Key West, Florida.  She agrees to help her mother cater a three day conference between American and Cuban officials.  The tense event gets worse when Ernest Hemingway's Nobel prize gold medal goes missing and worse still when a body is found.  Haley investigates to help the family of the dead man and hopefully save her mother's catering reputation.  I loved reading all about Key West and the Cuban food.  A few times I was concerned that the touchy subject of immigration would overshadow the story, but the author handled it very well.  Overall it was a very enjoyable book. 

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!